Histological and Functional Effect of Melatonin on Reproductive System

Abstract

Many experimental studies reported that melatonin has shown to induce reproductive toxicity. The purpose of this review is to discuss the evidence regarding the toxic effect of melatonin on the reproductive system and its possible mechanism of toxicity. Literature included in thisreview showed that an extrinsic dose of melatonin inducespharmaceutical, biochemical and physiological effects on the mammalian reproductive function. Empirical and histological examination of melatonin exposure on reproductive function has shown inhibited spermatogenesis, obstruction in tubular lumen and decrease in absolute and relative testicular weight, size, serum testosterone concentration and sperm of experimental animals. Though exposure to melatonin has shown no significant difference in ovarian volume and relative ovarian weights, various studies reviewed in the present article reported that exposure to melatonin revealed to have a higher number of primordial follicles, primary and secondary follicles and antral follicles. Additionally, studies reported that in the 90-day-old ovary of the melatonin exposed mice, there was almost double the number of corpora lutea as compared to controls. Furthermore, exposure to melatonin has shown to induce cellular toxicity in the testesand ovaries at the higher dose.

Keywords: Antral follicles, Corpora lutea, melatonin, ovaries, spermatogenesis, testes

Cite this Article

Mahari Geretsadkan Meles, Hafte Assefa Beyene. Histological and Functional Effect of Melatonin on Reproductive System. Research & Reviews: Journal of Medical Science and Technology. 2020; 9(1):
16–23p.