The effects of treatment with melatonin on the ultrastructure of mouse leydig cells: a quantitative study

Abstract

Both the presence of receptors for gonadal steroids in the pineal gland and in vitro observations of direct action of melatonin upon Leydig cells, inhibiting testosterone secretion, indicate a direct connection between pineal gland and gonadal function. In the present study, we used a transmission electron microscope to analyze the morphologic parameters of Leydig cells from adult Swiss outbred white mice treated with daily subcutaneous injections of 100 micrograms of melatonin (N-acetyl, 5-methoxytryptamine), during 22 consecutive days, compared with sham-control animals which had only received the melatonin vehicle. The melatonin group of mice showed a decrease in nuclear volume and fractional nuclear volume; smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum; mitochondria; and Golgi complex. Our data also showed an increase in cytoplasmic volume, fractional cytoplasmic volume, and lysosomes in these same animals. The results suggest that melatonin, directly or indirectly, alters the ultrastructure of mouse Leydig cells and possibly influences their secretory activity by inhibiting their capacity to secrete steroids.

Dose-Dependent Adverse Effects of Salinomycin on Male Reproductive Organs and Fertility in Mice

“…A declined secretory activity correlated with an increased number of lipid droplets, reduced sER and giant whorl-like smooth endoplasmic reticulum has been demonstrated in mouse Leydig cells following streptozotocin treatment [56,57]. Melatonin has also been shown to alter the ultrastructure of mouse Leydig cells and decrease nuclear volume [58]. …”

The effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on sperm quality, lipid peroxidation and testosterone levels of male Wistar rats

“…Ascorbic acid regenerates melatonin from melatonin radicals [23]. It has been reported [24,25] that melatonin the principle secretory product of the pineal gland, and reduce the oxidative stress together ascorbic acid by scavenging free radicals, but melatonin alters ultrastructure of mouse Leydig cells and possibly influences their secretory activity by inhibiting their capacity to secrete steroids. Cao et al [26] indicated that excessive oxidative stress reduced levels of key enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in Leydig cells, and resulted in decline in testosterone secretion.…”

Transmission Electron Microscopy for the Quantitative Analysis of Testis Ultra Structure

“…They used millimeter-ruled transparent plastic scale, which was placed on the photographs, twenty photographs per group with a same magnification (×2500) [48]. Therefore, they used the formula R = √D1 x D2.…”