Melatonin-mediated restoration of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis ameliorates CCl 4 -induced testicular damage in pinealectomized rats

The present study aimed to explore the therapeutic effects of exogenous melatonin in mitigating carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced testicular damage in pinealectomized rats. Sham and pinealectomized rats were administered CCl4 alone (1 ml/kg, every other day) or in combination with melatonin (10 mg/kg, daily) for 15 days.The pinealectomy operation led to an increase in levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status (TOS), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), while it caused a decrease in levels of glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant status (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) when compared to the Control and Sham groups. In the Sham+CCl4 group, there was a significant increase in testicular MDA, TOS, and TNF-α levels compared to the Control and Sham groups, accompanied by a dramatic decrease in SOD, TAS, GSH, FSH, and LH levels. Remarkably, the changes observed in the PX+CCl4 group were significantly more pronounced than those in the Sham+CCl4 group, underscoring the distinct impact of the intervention. Finally, the PX+CCl4+MLT group enhanced the tissue antioxidant system, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation and supporting the function of the HPG axis. Our findings indicate that melatonin supplementation effectively protects reproductive health against the testicular toxicity of CCl4 in pinealectomized rats.