Melatonin controlled apoptosis and protected the testes and sperm quality against bisphenol A-induced oxidative toxicity

Abstract

Epidemiological reports have indicated a correlation between the increasing bisphenol A (BPA) levels in the environment and the incidence of male infertility. In this study, the protective effects of melatonin on BPA-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis were investigated in the rat testes and epididymal sperm. Melatonin (10 mg/kg body weight (bw)) was injected concurrently with BPA (50 mg/kg bw) for 3 and 6 weeks. The administration of BPA significantly increased oxidative stress in the testes and epididymal sperm. This was associated with a decrease in the serum testosterone level as well as sperm quality, chromatin condensation/de-condensation level, and the percentage of haploid germ cells in the semen. BPA administration caused a significant increase in apoptosis accompanied by a decrease in the expression of the antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-2 in the testes and epididymal sperm. The concurrent administration of melatonin decreased oxidative stress by modulating the levels of glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase as well as the malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide concentrations in the testes and sperm. Melatonin sustained Bcl-2 expression and controlled apoptosis. Furthermore, melatonin maintained the testosterone levels, ameliorated histopathological changes, increased the percentages of seminal haploid germ cells, and protected sperm chromatin condensation process, indicating appropriate spermatogenesis with production of functional sperm. In conclusion, melatonin protected against BPA-induced apoptosis by controlling Bcl-2 expression and ameliorating oxidative stress in the testes and sperm. Thus, melatonin is a promising pharmacological agent for preventing the potential reproductive toxicity of BPA following occupational or environmental exposures.

Protective effects of melatonin on bovine sperm characteristics and subsequent in vitro embryo development

“…The protective role exerted by melatonin may be related to its antioxidant effects. The small size of melatonin allows it to pass through morpho-physiological barriers with ease and to distribute uniformly across various cellular components, including the cytosol, mitochondria, and nucleus (Othman et al, 2016;Pang et al, 2016). Melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2 were identified in rat epididymis tissue (Shiu et al, 2000) as well as in human (van Vuuren et al, 1992) and ram spermatozoa (Casao et al, 2012).…”

The effects of high‐fructose corn syrup consumption on testis physiopathology—The ameliorative role of melatonin

“…In our study, MLT was given by gavage during the last 6 weeks of the experiment at a single daily dose of 10 mg/kg by gavage. Saline solution was given to the control and HFCS groups at a dose equivalent to melatonin dose (Othman et al, ; Saygın et al, ).…”

Melatonin Relieves Busulfan-Induced Spermatogonial Stem Cell Apoptosis of Mouse Testis by Inhibiting Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

“…Melatonin significantly reverses tunicamycin-induced ERS in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells and improves cytotoxic responses to doxorubicin by increasing the expression of CHOP [49]. A couple of studies revealed that melatonin alleviates Cd-induced cellular stress and germ cell apoptosis in testes [50] and prevents bisphenol A-induced apoptosis by controlling BCL2 expression and ameliorating oxidative stress in the testes and sperm [51]. Furthermore, melatonin had a positive influence on the efficiency of male germ cell differentiation [52], and it can promote goat SSC proliferation by stimulating GDNF production in Sertoli cells [53].…”