Protective effect of exogenous melatonin on testicular histopathology and histomorphometry of adult rats with domperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia

• Published in: Reproductive biology 2023-09, Vol.23 (3), p.100791, Article 100791
• Main Authors: de Araújo Silva, Ewerton Fylipe, da Silva Gomes, José Anderson, Figueira de Oliveira, Maria Luísa, Furtado de Carvalho Noya, Arthur Gabriel Alves, Peixoto Magalhães, Carolina, da Silva, João Vitor, da Silva, Luiz Henrique, Tenorio, Bruno Mendes, Moraes Valença, Marcelo, Mendes Tenorio, Fernanda das Chagas Angelo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adults; epithelium; histopathology; Hyperprolactinemia; males; Melatonin; microstructure; prolactin; protective effect; Reproduction; Spermatogenesis; steroidogenesis; testes; Testis
• ISSN: 1642-431X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2023.100791

Hyperprolactinemia is a pathological condition resulting from increased prolactin that directly affects reproduction, as this condition inhibits the release of LH, FSH and gonadal steroidogenesis, bringing several negative clinical associations in reproduction. In contrast, melatonin (MEL) plays an important role in the regulation of steroidogenesis and modulates damages to the process of spermatogenesis. The objective was to analyze the protective effects of exogenous melatonin on the testis of hyperprolactinemic adult rats. Forty-eight male rats were used, divided into two treatment periods: 30 and 60 days, each treatment was subdivided into three groups: Control, Hyper (hyperprolactinemia), and Hyper+MEL (hyperprolactinemia and melatonin). Treatment with melatonin was 200 μg/100 g, subcutaneously. Induction of hyperprolactinemia was obtained with a dose of 4 mg/kg of domperidone, subcutaneously. The results of the histopathology demonstrated that the animals in the Hyper group presented degeneration of germ cells when compared to the control. In addition, the degenerations were presented in smaller quantities in the Hyper+MEL, in both treatment periods, evidencing the benefits of the melatonin in gonadal regeneration. The Hyper group of both treatment periods showed a decrease in tubular diameter, epithelium height, and tubular area, in addition to a decrease in Sertoli cells, when compared to the control and the Hyper+MEL group. In conclusion, the hyperprolactinemia can affect the germinal epithelium and testicular microstructure; the exogenous melatonin has a protective effect against hyperprolactinemia, reducing testicular damage. •The induction of hyperprolactinemia from domperidone treatment causes damage to the testicular parenchyma.•Analyzing the histopathological parameters, Hyperprolacthemic animals from both periods were the most negatively affected.•Treatment with exogenous melatonin has been proven efficient in reversing damage caused by induced hyperprolactinemia.