Potential chemoprotective effect of melatonin in cyclophosphamide- and cisplatin-induced testicular damage in rats

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of melatonin on cyclophosphamide (CP)- and cisplatin-induced testicular toxicity with use of sperm parameters and biochemical and histopathologic approaches.DesignExperimental study.SettingVakif Gureba Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.AnimalsSix-week-old adult male Wistar albino rats (N = 48).Intervention(s)Cyclophosphamide was administered to rats by gavage at a single dose of 100 mg/kg body weight, only once. Cisplatin was injected intraperitoneally at single doses of 7 mg/kg/d for five consecutive days. Melatonin was both administered separately and coadministered with CP and cisplatin intraperitoneally at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight.Main Outcome Measure(s)Body and testicular weight, epididymal sperm characteristics, plasma T, and histopathologic structure of the testicular tissue were determined. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity were assessed in testicular tissue.Result(s)Body and testicular weight, epididymal sperm count, motility and morphology, plasma T levels, the activities of GSH-Px, and GSH levels were significantly decreased whereas the level of MDA was significantly increased in rats of the CP and cisplatin group. Melatonin treatment increased GSH levels and GSH-Px activity, decreased MDA level in testicular tissue, and increased plasma T level. Cyclophosphamide and cisplatin caused irregular seminiferous tubules, reduction of seminiferous epithelial layers, significant maturation arrest, and perivascular fibrosis. Melatonin significantly improved histopathologic changes.Conclusion(s)Melatonin may prevent CP- and cisplatin-induced testicular damage.