Ameliorative role of melatonin against cypermethrin or gamma irradiation induced testicular damage in male rats

Background: This work aimed at studying the protective effect of melatonin (MLT) against cypermethrin or γ-radiation induced testicular damage. Material and Methods: Thirty six Male rats were randomly divided into 6 groups.  Control group, group treated with MLT (10 mg/Kg b. wt.), group administered cypermethrin (25 mg/ kg. b. wt.), group 4 was exposed to fractionated whole body γ-radiation (the sum=8 Gy), group 5 was co-administered with MLT (10 mg/Kg .b. wt.) and cypermethrin (25 mg/kg b. wt.) and finally group 6 rats were supplemented with MLT (10 mg/Kg .b. wt.) and subsequently administered  fractionated γ-radiation(the sum=8 Gy). After treatment for 29 successive days, all animals groups were investigated for hormonal assay, sperm quality, oxidative indices and histological examination of testicular tissues. Results: Rat’s treatment with g-radiation or Cypermethrin showed a significant decrease in body weight, testis, epididymis, ventral prostate and seminal-vesicles weights. Also, a significant increase was observed in the levels of TBARS and H2O2, while a significant reduction occurred in the activity of SOD, CAT and GSH content in testis tissues, in addition to a significant decrease in testosterone hormone. On the other hand, a significant increase occurred in FSH and prolactin hormones .moreover, a significant decrease in sperm count and motility occured beside a significant increase in abnormal forms. Pretreatment of rats with MLT improved the disturbances induced in the tested parameters of rats either received cypermethrin or γ-irradiation. Conclusion: According to the present findings, the ameliorative role of MLT is obvious against cypermethrin or γ-irradiation induced testicular damage probably, due to its antioxidative properties.