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From spermatogenesis to fertilisation: the role of melatonin on ram spermatozoa.

Domestic animal endocrinology
April 1, 2025
Adriana Casao et al. (3 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewAnimal Study
Extracted Claims (14)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
melatonin
neutral
seasonal reproduction
ovine species
-
regulates
#1
melatonin
neutral
spermatogenesis, seminal quality and fertility
ram spermatozoa
-
exerts direct effects on
#2
melatonin
increase
blood flow to this organ
testis
-
stimulates
#3
melatonin
neutral
differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells
testis
-
involved in
#4
melatonin
neutral
secretion of testosterone
testis
-
involved in
#5
melatonin
neutral
sperm maturation
epididymis
-
modulates
#6
melatonin
neutral
secretory activity of epididymal epithelial cells
epididymis
-
modulates
#7
melatonin
neutral
spermatozoa from oxidative damage
spermatozoa
-
may protect
#8
melatonin present in seminal plasma
neutral
sperm from oxidative damage and premature capacitation
sperm
-
may protect
#9
melatonin present in seminal plasma
increase
seminal quality
sperm
-
may improve
#10
melatonin
neutral
sperm capacitation
sperm
-
may modulate
#11
high concentrations of melatonin
decrease
sperm capacitation
ram sperm
-
have a decapacitating effect
#12
low concentrations of melatonin
increase
sperm capacitation
ram sperm
-
may promote
#13
melatonin
neutral
chemotaxis and fertilisation
sperm
-
could also be involved in
#14
Abstract

This review presents recent findings on the effect of melatonin on ram spermatozoa. This hormone regulates seasonal reproduction in the ovine species through the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, but it also exerts direct effects on spermatogenesis, seminal quality and fertility. In the testis, melatonin stimulates blood flow to this organ, but it also appears to be involved in the differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells and the secretion of testosterone through the MT1 and MT2 receptors. In the epididymis, this hormone modulates sperm maturation and the secretory activity of epidydimal epithelial cells. In addition, the antioxidant activity of melatonin may protect spermatozoa from oxidative damage during their formation in the testis and their maturation in the epididymis. After ejaculation, the melatonin present in seminal plasma may also protect sperm from oxidative damage and premature capacitation and may improve seminal quality. Finally, once the sperm begins its transit through the female genital tract, melatonin may modulate sperm capacitation. Thus, melatonin could have a bimodal activity in ram sperm capacitation, so high concentrations, such as those in seminal plasma, have a decapacitating effect. In contrast, low concentrations, such as those present in the female reproductive tract, may promote it, likely through interaction with MT2 receptors. In addition, melatonin could also be involved in chemotaxis and fertilisation, although further studies are needed to elucidate the specific role of melatonin in these processes. Finally, the effect of latitude and melatonin receptor gene polymorphisms in ram reproduction is also discussed.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AnimalsMelatoninSheepMaleSpermatozoaSpermatogenesisFertilizationFemale
Study Links
PubMed ID39823652
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