Acrylamide (ACR) is a toxic compound formed during high-temperature food processing that is known to induce oxidative stress and reproductive toxicity. This study investigated the protective effects of melatonin (MEL) on ACR-induced testicular toxicity, with a focus on hormonal regulation and steroidogenic pathways. Forty adults male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: control, ACR (50 mg/kg), ACR+MEL10 (ACR + 10 mg/kg MEL), ACR+MEL20 (ACR + 20 mg/kg MEL), and MEL20 (20 mg/kg MEL alone). Treatments were administered via intragastric gavage for 14 days. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone levels were measured via ELISA, alongside testicular steroidogenic enzyme levels (StAR, P450scc, 17β-HSD3). Histopathological analysis was used to assess spermatogenic integrity via Johnsen scoring. ACR exposure significantly reduced the serum FSH, LH, and testosterone levels (p .05). MEL also mitigated histopathological damage, preserving seminiferous tubule integrity and spermatogenic function. These findings suggest that MEL exerts protective effects against ACR-induced testicular toxicity through its antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects, restoring steroidogenic enzyme activity and the hormonal balance. MEL supplementation may be a potential therapeutic strategy against environmental toxicants affecting male reproductive health. Further mechanistic studies are warranted to elucidate its full protective scope.
Tekin et al. (Fri,) studied this question.