The role of melatonin in preventing ovarian tissue damage in rats exposed to magnetic fields

Objectives: We observed the efficacy of melatonin in preventing ovarian tissue damage in rats exposed to magnetic fields. Materials and methods: Forty rats were divided into four treatment groups: Group 1, control group (n = 10); Group 2, melatonin administration only (n = 10); Group 3, magnetic field exposure only (n = 10); Group 4, magnetic field exposure with melatonin administration (n = 10). The magnetic field was applied at a dose of 20 μT for 30 min/day for 10 days. Melatonin was orally administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg. We evaluated follicle count, degree of fibrosis, amount of adhesion, amount of apoptosis, ovarian dimensions, and follicular degeneration by dissecting the ovaries of the rats on day 11, and differences among the groups were evaluated. Results: Group 3 had an increased amount of follicle degeneration, more fibrosis, and more adhesion than Group 4, but these findings were not statistically significant. The apoptosis scores in Groups 1 and 2 were significantly lower than in the other groups. Ovarian dimensions were significantly decreased in Group 3. Follicular degeneration was significantly increased in Group 3. Conclusion: Exogenously administered melatonin, if used at much higher doses orally, may be a noncytotoxic, antiapoptotic agent and may also have a protective effect on ovarian tissue damage that radiation can cause at the level of fine structure.