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Melatonin prevents gentamicin-induced testicular toxicity and oxidative stress in rats
1College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea.
Abstract:
This study investigated the protective effects of melatonin (MT) against gentamicin (GM)-induced testicular toxicity and oxidative damage in rats. GM (100 mg kg(-1) ) was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) to rats for 6 days. MT (15 mg kg(-1) ) was administered i.p. to rats for 6 days at 1 hr after the GM treatment. GM caused a decrease in prostate and seminal vesicle weights, sperm count and sperm motility. Histopathological examination showed various morphological alterations in the testis, characterised by degeneration of spermatogonia/spermatocytes, decrease in the number of early spermatogenic cells and vacuolisation. In addition, an increased malondialdehyde concentration and decreased glutathione content and glutathione reductase, catalase and glutathione-S-transferase activities were found in the testis. In contrast, MT treatment significantly attenuated the testicular toxicity of GM, including decreased reproductive organ weights, sperm count, and sperm motility and increased histopathological alterations. MT also had an antioxidant benefit by decreasing the lipid peroxidative product malondialdehyde and increasing the level of the antioxidant glutathione and the activities of antioxidant enzymes in the testis. These results indicate that MT prevents testicular toxicity induced by GM in rats, presumably due to its potent antioxidant activity, and its ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation, and restore antioxidant enzyme activity.
Insights
Melatonin (MT) protects against gentamicin (GM)-induced testicular toxicity in rats. MT treatment improved sperm parameters and reduced oxidative damage, indicating its protective role in male reproductive health.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Reproductive Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Gentamicin (GM) is an antibiotic known to cause ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity.
- GM can also induce testicular toxicity, leading to impaired male reproductive function.
- Oxidative stress plays a significant role in GM-induced organ damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of melatonin (MT) against gentamicin (GM)-induced testicular toxicity and oxidative damage in rats.
- To evaluate the impact of MT on sperm parameters and testicular histopathology following GM exposure.
- To assess the antioxidant potential of MT in mitigating GM-induced oxidative stress in the testis.
Main Methods:
- Rats were treated with gentamicin (100 mg/kg, i.p.) for 6 days.
- Melatonin (15 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered 1 hour after GM treatment for 6 days.
- Evaluated parameters included reproductive organ weights, sperm count and motility, testicular histopathology, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and antioxidant enzyme activities (glutathione reductase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase).
Main Results:
- GM administration significantly decreased prostate and seminal vesicle weights, sperm count, and motility.
- Histopathological analysis revealed testicular damage including degeneration of germ cells and vacuolization in GM-treated rats.
- GM exposure increased testicular MDA concentration and decreased glutathione content and antioxidant enzyme activities.
- Melatonin treatment significantly attenuated GM-induced testicular toxicity, restoring organ weights, sperm parameters, and histopathological integrity.
- MT administration also reduced MDA levels and increased glutathione content and antioxidant enzyme activities in the testis.
Conclusions:
- Melatonin (MT) effectively prevents gentamicin (GM)-induced testicular toxicity in rats.
- MT's protective effects are attributed to its potent antioxidant activity, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and restoration of antioxidant enzyme function.
- These findings suggest MT as a potential therapeutic agent to mitigate GM-induced male reproductive toxicity.
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