Beneficial effects of melatonin and BQ-123 on the rat testis damage caused by cigarette smoke.

BACKGROUND/AIM Several studies have demonstrated that cigarette smoke has detrimental effects on testicular function. However, it is unknown whether melatonin or BQ-123 has beneficial effects on the rat testis damage caused by cigarette smoke. The aim of the present study was to investigate the beneficial effects of melatonin or BQ-123 on the testicular damage caused by cigarette smoke. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 equal groups: control group (n = 5), cigarette smoke group (n = 5), melatonin group (n = 5), and BQ-123 group (n = 5). At the end of 4 weeks, all the rats were sacrificed for histopathological evaluation and subsequent stereological analysis. The optical fractionator counting method, the most efficient and unbiased method, was used to estimate the total number of spermatogonia and spermatocytes. RESULTS All the control testes demonstrated complete spermatogenesis. There was a significant decrease in the germ cells of rats exposed to cigarette smoke for 4 weeks. After the application of melatonin or BQ-123, the total number of spermatogonia and spermatocytes in the testes was significantly higher. CONCLUSION Based on these findings, melatonin and BQ-123 are able to minimize the degenerative effects of cigarette smoke by increasing the germ cell count.