[Morphometric characteristics of Leydig cells after total irradiation of rats treated with melatonin].
The aim of the study was to determine the effects of exogenous melatonin on Leydig cells in irradiation stress. Nuclear and cytoplasm surface of Leydig cells in sham pinealectomized and pinealectomized adult Wistar rats was determined after their total irradiation with 8 Gy of gama rays produced by 60 Co and with previously performed 14 days treatment by injecting of melatonin solution in a daily dose of 0.2 mg. Rats testes were histologically prepared 17 days after irradiation. Total melatonin administration significantly decreased surface of Leydig cells including both decrease of their nuclear and cytoplasm surface in irradiated sham pinealectomized and pinealectomized rats. The results suggested about direct effects of exogenous melatonin on Leydig cells in irradiation stress.