Effects of melatonin implants on uterine inflammation and ovarian progesterone receptor expression in female cats: A histopathological and molecular analysis.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the histopathological and molecular effects of subcutaneous melatonin implants on the reproductive organs of female cats.
Results Summary
Melatonin-treated cats exhibited varying degrees of uterine inflammation, elevated inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α, NF-kB, IFN-γ, ICAM-1, iNOS), and increased progesterone receptor expression, suggesting hormonal and immune alterations despite estrus suppression.
Population
Female cats
Effective Dosage
18 mg melatonin implants (subcutaneous, single administration)
Duration
Not specified (implants administered before ovariohysterectomy)
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
subcutaneous melatonin implants | increase | uterine inflammation | female cats | ranging from mild to severe | exhibited varying degrees of | #1 |
subcutaneous melatonin implants | increase | IL-1β expression | female cats | - | showed elevated | #2 |
subcutaneous melatonin implants | increase | IL-6 | female cats | - | significant upregulation of | #3 |
subcutaneous melatonin implants | increase | TNF-α | female cats | - | significant upregulation of | #4 |
subcutaneous melatonin implants | increase | NF-kB | female cats | - | significant upregulation of | #5 |
subcutaneous melatonin implants | increase | IFN-γ | female cats | - | significant upregulation of | #6 |
subcutaneous melatonin implants | increase | ICAM-1 | female cats | - | significant upregulation of | #7 |
subcutaneous melatonin implants | increase | iNOS | female cats | - | significant upregulation of | #8 |
subcutaneous melatonin implants | increase | IL-6 protein expression | female cats | - | confirmed increased | #9 |
subcutaneous melatonin implants | increase | TNF-α protein expression | female cats | - | confirmed increased | #10 |
subcutaneous melatonin implants | increase | NF-kB protein expression | female cats | - | confirmed increased | #11 |
subcutaneous melatonin implants | increase | IFN-γ protein expression | female cats | - | confirmed increased | #12 |
subcutaneous melatonin implants | increase | PGR protein expression | female cats | - | confirmed increased | #13 |
subcutaneous melatonin implants | increase | progesterone receptor isoform PR-A | female cats | - | increased mRNA expression of | #14 |
subcutaneous melatonin implants | increase | progesterone receptor isoform PR-B | female cats | - | increased mRNA expression of | #15 |
subcutaneous melatonin implants | decrease | estrus | female cats | - | effectively suppress | #16 |
subcutaneous melatonin implants | increase | uterine inflammation | female cats | - | may induce | #17 |
subcutaneous melatonin implants | increase | hormonal and immune profiles of reproductive tissues | female cats | - | alter the | #18 |
This study aimed to evaluate the histopathological and molecular effects of subcutaneous melatonin implants on the reproductive organs of female cats. Twenty cats were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (Cont), which underwent ovariohysterectomy without prior treatment, and a melatonin-treated group (Mel), which received 18 mg melatonin implants subcutaneously in the interscapular region before ovariohysterectomy. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses of uterine tissues were performed, along with quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot to assess inflammatory markers and progesterone receptor expression. Histopathological findings revealed normal uterine structures in most control cats, with mild inflammation observed in a few cases. In contrast, melatonin-treated cats exhibited varying degrees of uterine inflammation, ranging from mild to severe. Immunohistochemical analysis showed elevated IL-1β expression in the treated group compared to controls. Molecular analysis revealed significant upregulation of IL-6, TNF-α, NF-kB, IFN-γ, ICAM-1, and iNOS in uterine tissues of the treated group (p < 0.05). Western blot analysis confirmed increased IL-6, TNF-α, NF-kB, IFN-γ, and PGR protein expression in melatonin-treated cats, supporting inflammatory and hormonal alterations. Additionally, increased mRNA expression of progesterone receptor isoforms PR-A and PR-B was detected in ovarian tissues of melatonin-treated cats (p < 0.05). The results indicate that while melatonin implants effectively suppress estrus in female cats, they may induce uterine inflammation and alter the hormonal and immune profiles of reproductive tissues. These findings highlight the need for further investigation into the long-term safety and mechanisms of melatonin's effects on reproductive health.