Simvastatin induces the expression of hemeoxygenase-1 against ischemia-reperfusion injury on the testes in rats

► Simvastatin-induced HO-1 expression rescues IR injury. ► Protective effect of HO-1 on IR-induced apoptosis using TUNEL assay. ► HO-1 plays a protective role in IR-induced injury in the testis of rats.