HISTOLOGICAL EFFECT OF MELATONIN HORMONE ON ADULT RAT'S PROSTATE

Abstract

Background: The prostate is the largest of the accessory glands of the male reproductive tract. Its secretion serves as a diluent and vehicle for transport of sperms from male to female, so its function is very important for the normal fertility. Melatonin is the basic neuro-hormone of the pineal gland, regulates the sexual and reproductive activities in all mammals including man.Objective: This work aimed to study the effect of different doses of dietary melatonin on adult rat's prostate, "histologically". Methods: Melatonin was supplied to adult Wister albino rats, for successive 30 days. Rats were divided into 6 groups. Group I was the control. Group II, III, IV, V and VI were given (mixed with their diet) a daily dose of 125, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 µg / kg body weight, respectively. The dietary melatonin was supplied to rats mixed with their food. After the last day of treatment, animals were killed under effect of anesthesia; prostate was removed for histological study.Results: The results showed significant beneficial effects on prostate by normal therapeutic dosages, whereas significant damaging effects were seen with further stepping up doses.Conclusion: Dietary melatonin has good effects on the rat's prostate within therapeutic doses, whereas it had highly damaging changes in overabundance.