Effects of zinc and melatonin on estrogen hormone levels and ovarian follicular parameters in female rats

Subject Areas : Experimental physiology and pathology

Fariba Rahimi ¹ , Morteza Zendehdel ² , Mohammad Jaafar Rezaei ³ , Bita Vazir ⁴ , Shahin Fakour ⁵

1 - Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 - Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
3 - Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan university of Medical Science, Sanandaj, Iran.
4 - Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
5 - Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran.

Received: 2024-04-30 Accepted : 2024-07-22 Published : 2024-08-22

Keywords: Estrogen, Female rat, Melatonin, Zinc,

Abstract :

Background & Aim: The importance of the reproduction process in the continuation of the human race and the increase in livestock production has prompted researchers to conduct extensive research with the aim of identifying the factors and compounds affecting reproductive efficiency. In this regard, in the current study, we investigate the effects of melatonin and zinc administration separately or together on estrogen hormone levels and ovarian follicular parameters in female rats. Materials and methods: A total of 35 adult female rats were distributed in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments, 7 repetitions and placing two mice in each cage and were treated by gavage in the opposite order for 20 days: control group-1: Base diet, control group-2: normal saline, treatment group-1: zinc (40 ppm), treatment group-2: melatonin (5 mg/kg) and treatment group-3: melatonin + zinc. After performing these steps, serum and ovarian tissue sections of the samples were evaluated in terms of hormonal and histopathological changes. Results: Based on the findings, in the melatonin + zinc group, the average diameter of granulosa cells increased significantly compared to the control groups (P<0.05). Also, the average diameter of mature follicles and the average number of antral follicles in rats receiving melatonin increased significantly compared to the control groups (P<0.05). However, the administration of zinc and melatonin alone or separately did not have a significant effect on estrogen hormone levels (P≤0.05). Conclusion: The results obtained from this study showed that administration of melatonin alone or in combination with zinc improves ovarian follicular parameters in female rats, but has no effect on estrogen hormone levels.

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