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Effects of melatonin implants on uterine inflammation and ovarian progesterone receptor expression in female cats: A histopathological and molecular analysis.

Theriogenology
May 1, 2025
Damla Tuğçe Okur et al. (9 authors)
Journal ArticleAnimal Study
Study Details

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

Extracted Claims (18)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
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
Abstract

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.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AnimalsFemaleCatsMelatoninReceptors, ProgesteroneOvaryCat DiseasesUterusDrug ImplantsGene Expression RegulationInflammation
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety30
Efficacy70/10
Quality80/10
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score1.95
Normalized Score0.56
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