Effect of melatonin on oxidant and antioxidant status of camel cumulus-oocyte complexes and sperm

Abstract

Background/aim: Melatonin as an antioxidant had an important role in the improvement of the reproductive efficiency of animals. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of melatonin on oxidant and antioxidant parameters in camel cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) and sperms. Material and methods: Camel COCs and sperms were collected from ovaries and testes from the abattoir then divided into the following 4 groups: control non-treated (G1), and 3 groups treated with melatonin at low (250 µM, G2), moderate (500 µM, G3), and high (1000 µM, G4) concentration. The levels of lipid peroxidation marker malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes [catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] were measured in COCs and sperms of all groups. Results: COCs and sperms treated with melatonin (G2-G4) showed significantly lower MDA levels and significantly higher activities of CAT, SOD, GPx than the untreated control samples. Among the 3 treated groups, COCs and sperms treated with high melatonin concentration exhibited lowest MD levels and highest CAT, SOD, GPx activities. Conclusion: Melatonin could improve the reproductive efficiency of male and female camels through inhibition of reactive oxygen spices and induction of antioxidant enzymes in COCs and sperms.