Cimetidine-induced Male Reproductive Defects in Piroxicam-induced Gastric Ulcerated Wistar Rats and Their Amelioration by Melatonin

Cimetidine is a known reproductive toxicant due to its adverse effects on testicular function. Melatonin is an antioxidant that has a role in mitigating any disorders that could affect spermatogenesis. Therefore, this study evaluated the ameliorative potential of melatonin on the adverse reproductive effects of cimetidine in piroxicam-induced gastric ulcerated male rats. Thirty rats were randomly divided into six groups (n=5), including normal control (distilled water), ulcerated and non-treated, ulcerated and treated with cimetidine (200mg/kg day), ulcerated and treated with cimetidine and melatonin (10mg/kg), treated with cimetidine and melatonin without ulceration, and ulcerated rats treated with only melatonin. All treatments were done orally per day for 14 days. On the 15th day, rats were sacrificed, and blood samples were collected for hormone and antioxidant assays. Then, the sperm parameters were analyzed according to standard procedures. Co-administration of melatonin to piroxicam-ulcerated rats treated with cimetidine showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in sperm count and epididymal glutathione peroxidase compared to piroxicam-ulcerated rats treated with only cimetidine. Melatonin increases the serum level of Testosterone, FSH, and LH. Melatonin ameliorates the adverse reproductive effects of cimetidine through its antioxidant properties. Therefore, co-administration of melatonin with cimetidine in male ulcer patients is recommended.