P-11: Exogenous Melatonin Protects Follicogenesisand Endometrium from Apoptosis inFemale Mouse Treated with Nicotine

Background: Nicotine exposure causes impaired fertility , ovarian and uterus dysfunction. The pineal hormone melatonin is known as an antioxidant agent. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective role of exogen melatonin on altered ovary and endometrium with nicotine. Materials and Methods: Female adult NMRI mice were divided into four groups. The control group received vehicle, group 2 received nicotine (0.4 mg/100g body weight) for 15 days, group 3 was administered melatonin (10 mg/kg) for 5 days. Group 4 received both nicotine (0.4 mg/100g body weight) and melatonin (10 mg/kg). All animals were treated intraperitoneally. After autopsy on 16th day, evaluations were made by histopathology and in situ TUNEL assay. Statistical analysis were performed using ANOVA test.Results: Nicotine significantly reduced the number and size of pre-antral and antral follicles compared to the control. (p