Efficacy of antioxidant treatment in the prevention of testicular atrophy in experimental testicular torsion.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare dose schedules of the antioxidant treatment (melatonin and steroid) used as 1 dose and as once a day for 7 days in terms of salvage of the testes in the late period. METHODS: Sixty prepubertal rats were divided into 6 groups each containing 10 rats: sham (S), torsion-detorsion (TD), 1-dose melatonin (M(1)), 1-dose steroid (ST(1)), 7-dose melatonin (M(7)), and 7-dose steroid (ST(7)) groups. The left testes were rotated 720 degrees for 6 hours and detorsed for 6 hours thereafter. In the treatment groups, 17 mg/kg melatonin and 1 mg/kg steroid were injected 15 minutes before detorsion. Left orchiectomies were performed to determine testicular weights and Johnsen scores 3 months later. RESULTS: Testicular weights and Johnsen scores in the M(1), ST(1), and TD groups were significantly lower compared with those in the S group, and atrophy developed in these groups, whereas they were higher in the M(7) and ST(7) groups compared with the TD group. Testicular atrophy did not develop in the M(7) or ST(7) groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that antioxidant agents used once a day for 7 days prevent testicular atrophy and are effective in terms of salvage of the testes.

Effects of melatonin on spermatogenesis and testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury after unilateral testicular torsion-detorsion.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the effect of melatonin in preventing ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury-induced tissue damage and on spermatogenesis after experimental testicular torsion (TT). METHODS: Forty peripubertal rats were divided into 4 groups each containing 10 rats: control (C), sham (S), torsion plus detorsion (TD), and torsion plus melatonin (M). The left testes were rotated 720 degrees for 6 hours and detorsed for 6 hours thereafter. Serum inhibin B (IB) levels were measured in blood samples taken from all groups. Left orchiectomies were performed to determine the tissue levels of Johnsen's scores (JS) and malondialdehyde (MDA). RESULTS: Serum IB levels in the S and TD groups were significantly lower compared with that in the C group, whereas they were higher in the M group compared with the TD group. The MDA levels were significantly lower in the C, S, and, M groups compared with the TD group. Johnsen's scores were significantly higher in the C, S, and M groups compared with the TD group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that melatonin is a potent antioxidant agent in preventing testicular I-R injury, as shown by increased IB levels and JS.