Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 8, 2026

A Mice Model of Chlorhexidine Gluconate-Induced Peritoneal Damage
04:25

A Mice Model of Chlorhexidine Gluconate-Induced Peritoneal Damage

Published on: April 28, 2022

2.3K

Melatonin ameliorates testicular damages induced by nicotine in mice

Fahimeh Mohammadghasemi1, Sina Khajeh Jahromi1

  • 1Cellular & Molecular Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.

Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
|June 27, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Melatonin supplementation improved male reproductive health in nicotine-exposed mice. It enhanced sperm quality, spermatogenesis, and DNA integrity by reducing apoptosis and modulating testosterone levels.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Toxicology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Nicotine exposure negatively impacts male reproductive function, leading to testicular damage and impaired sperm parameters.
  • Melatonin, a potent antioxidant, is investigated for its potential protective effects against toxicant-induced reproductive dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the protective effects of melatonin against nicotine-induced testicular toxicity in male mice.
  • To evaluate the impact of melatonin on sperm nuclear integrity, epididymal sperm parameters, and reproductive hormone levels.

Main Methods:

  • Male mice were administered nicotine, melatonin, or a combination thereof.
  • Histology, Johnson's score, immunostaining, sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test, and ELISA were employed for evaluation.
  • Spermatogenesis, apoptosis, sperm chromatin integrity, testosterone, and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were assessed.

Main Results:

  • Nicotine significantly reduced spermatogenesis, sperm parameters, and sex hormone levels.
  • Melatonin treatment improved spermatogenesis, sperm chromatin integrity, and sperm parameters, while reducing apoptosis.
  • Melatonin significantly increased serum testosterone levels, showing a negative correlation with DNA fragmentation.

Conclusions:

  • Melatonin administration mitigates nicotine-induced damage to the male reproductive system.
  • Melatonin enhances spermatogenesis quality and quantity and improves sperm chromatin integrity.
  • The protective effects of melatonin are linked to reduced apoptosis and modulation of testosterone levels.
Keywords:
ApoptosisChromatinMelatoninNicotineSpermTestis

More Related Videos

Spectral Confocal Imaging of Fluorescently tagged Nicotinic Receptors in Knock-in Mice with Chronic Nicotine Administration08:47

Spectral Confocal Imaging of Fluorescently tagged Nicotinic Receptors in Knock-in Mice with Chronic Nicotine Administration

Published on: February 10, 2012

14.0K
Ameliorating Osteoarthritis in Mice Using Silver Nanoparticles05:50

Ameliorating Osteoarthritis in Mice Using Silver Nanoparticles

Published on: June 2, 2023

1.9K

Related Concept Videos

Cholinergic Receptors: Nicotinic01:15

Cholinergic Receptors: Nicotinic

Nicotinic receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that are activated by acetylcholine and nicotine. Upon activation, they cause a rapid increase in the permeability of cells to K+, Na+, and Ca2+, followed by depolarization and excitation. They are in the autonomic ganglia, skeletal neuromuscular junction, CNS, and adrenal medulla.
There are two types of nicotinic receptors: neuromuscular (NM/NM/N1) and neuronal (NN/NN/N2). The two families differ based on their location and selectivity to...
5.8K
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine01:27

CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine

Ethanol, a clear colorless alcohol, has been consumed by humans for millennia, but its effects on the body are far from benign. At lower doses, it induces decreased inhibitions and loquaciousness, leading to its social appeal. However, it can cause severe consequences at higher doses, such as coma and respiratory depression, due to its zero-order elimination kinetics. Chronic ethanol abuse wreaks havoc on multiple organ systems, particularly the CNS and the liver. Abrupt cessation of ethanol...
1.3K
DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle02:36

DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle

In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...
3.2K
DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle02:36

DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle

In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...
10.1K
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells01:13

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different types of cells. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are post-mitotic—that is, they no longer divide. However, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they “de-differentiate” and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are also pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are therefore...
28.1K
Induced-fit Model01:13

Induced-fit Model

Most chemical reactions in cells require enzymes—biological catalysts that speed up the reaction without being consumed or permanently changed. They reduce the activation energy needed to convert the reactants into products. Enzymes are proteins, that usually work by binding to a substrate—a reactant molecule that they act upon.
Enzymes exhibit substrate specificity, meaning that they can only bind to certain substrates. This is mainly determined by the shape and chemical...
89.4K