Melatonin improves testicular haemodynamics, echotexture and testosterone production in Ossimi rams during the breeding season.

Abstract

The objective was to determine effects of a single parenteral dose of melatonin on testicular blood flow indices, testicular echogenicity and plasma testosterone concentrations in rams during the physiological breeding season. We hypothesized that melatonin enhances testicular blood flow, echogenicity and plasma testosterone concentrations during the breeding season in rams. During the breeding season, 12 sexually mature Ossimi rams were randomly allocated to either a melatonin group (n=8) that received 18mg of melatonin in 1ml of corn oil (injected SC) or a control group (n=4) that received 1ml corn oil only. Blood collection and ultrasonographic assessment of the testes and supratesticular arteries were conducted immediately before treatment (W0) and once weekly for 6weeks after melatonin injection (W1-W6). Mean plasma testosterone concentrations were greater (p<.05; at least 1ng/ml) in the melatonin-treated group compared to the control group from W4 to W6 after treatment. A decrease (p<.05) in both resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) began 1week after melatonin injection (W1) and persisted until the end of the experiment, with mean RI and PI values in the melatonin group lower (p<.05) than those in the control group on W3 and W4. Furthermore, plasma testosterone concentrations in melatonin-treated rams were inversely correlated to both RI and PI (r=-.7 and -.6, respectively, p<.01). Testicular echogenicity decreased (p<.05) 1week after melatonin injection (W1) and remained lower (p<.05) in the melatonin-treated group compared to the control group until the end of the study (W6). In conclusion, melatonin administration significantly altered testicular blood flow and echogenicity and increased plasma testosterone concentrations in Ossimi rams during the breeding season.