Protective role of melatonin against testicular damage caused by polymicrobial sepsis in adult rats

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the possible protective effects of melatonin (MEL) against the damage to testicular tissue in rats caused by polymicrobial sepsis as a result of cecal ligation and perforation (CLP). METHODS: In this study, 21 male Wistar albino rats were used. The rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=7): Sham Control (Group 1), CLP (Group 2), and CLP + MEL (Group 3). Sepsis was created using the CLP method. MEL was administered intraperitoneally in two equal doses of 10 mg/kg at 30 min before and 6 h after perforation. Tissue sections taken from paraffin blocks were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) and examined histopathologically under a light microscope. Intracellular H(2)O(2) and apoptosis evaluations were carried out using the flow cytometric method. RESULTS: Sepsis caused a significant reduction in all sperm parameters. There was a significant decrease in sperm density, motility and cell numbers with normal morphology (p<0.05). Intracellular H(2)O(2) level and apoptotic cell percentages increased in sperm cells in the CLP group. MEL treatment was found to significantly reduce sperm abnormalities, testicular damage, intracellular H(2)O(2) levels, and apoptosis. CONCLUSION: This study showed that melatonin administration could be a potential treatment option to reduce acute testicular tissue damage due to sepsis.