Antiapoptotic and antioxidant effects of melatonin against methotrexate-induced testicular damage in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate protective effects of melatonin against methotrexate (MTX)- induced testicular damage.Sixteen week old 30 rats were divided into five groups. Each group was included 6 rats. Control group rats were not done any application. Another groups were injected solutions by intraperitoneally. Methotrexate group was administered single dose of MTX (20 mg/kg body weight). Methotrexate+Melatonin group was administered a single dose MTX on the first day and melatonin (10 mg/kg body weight) for five days. Melatonin group was administered melatonin for five days. Rat testes of Control group were observed in normal structure. There were a lot of immature germ cells in the lumen, widening between Sertoli cell and spermatogonia at basal compartment and a few vacuolization at adluminal compartment in seminiferous tubules of MTX Group. Malondialdehyde (MDA) in MTX Group was increased considerably. Testis histology in Ethanol group was similar to MTX group and MDA level was high. MTX and ethanol, the apoptosis index was significantly decreased in MTX + Mel group groups. In MTX+Melatonin group, testis histology was observed normal appearence and MDA level was significantly decreased, compared with MTX Group. Testis structure of Melatonin group was normal and MDA level was low.The results indicate that MTX have done oxidative damage and melatonin has protective effect against MTX in rat testis.