Objective: 

The aim of the present study is to explore how pinealectomy and melatonin administration affects elements (molybdenum, cadmium, chrome, boron, manganese, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc) in the testis and kidney tissues of rats.

Methods: 

This study included 24 adult male Sprague-Dawley type rats, which were allocated to 4 groups: Group 1, control; Group 2, melatonin-administered control; Group 3, pinealectomy (Px); Group 4, pinealectomized, melatonin-administered group. Pineal glands of the animals in groups 3 and 4 were removed under general anesthesia. The animals in groups 2 and 4 were administered 3 mg/kg ip melatonin for 4 weeks. The protocol of the study was approved by the local ethics committee and carried out at the Experimental Research Center of Yeditepe University. At the end of the study, the animals were decapitated. Kidney and testis tissue samples were obtained and analyzed for determination of cobalt, molybdenum, cadmium, chrome, nickel, boron, manganese, magnesium, lead, phosphorus, calcium, copper, iron, selenium and zinc levels using atomic emission (mg/L).

Results: 

Levels of molybdenum, cadmium, chrome, boron, manganese, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc in the kidney tissue of the pinealectomy group (group 3) were found significantly elevated (p<0.001). Similarly, pinealectomy (group 3) significantly increased cobalt, molybdenum, nickel, boron, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus and selenium levels and significantly reduced zinc levels in the testis tissue (p<0.001). Melatonin administration (group 4) to pinealectomized animals restored the parameters under investigation almost to control values.

Conclusions: 

Results of the study show that pinealectomy significantly changes the element metabolism in kidney and testis tissue, while melatonin administration to pinealectomized animals partly prevents these changes.