The effects of melatonin on electrical field stimulation-evoked biphasic twitch responses in the ipsilateral and contralateral rat vasa deferentia after unilateral testicular torsion/detorsion

Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2005 May;371(5):351-8. doi: 10.1007/s00210-005-1073-3. Epub 2005 Jul 8.

Abstract

It is not known whether there is an impairment in vas deferens motility after unilateral testicular torsion/detorsion. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether the electrical field stimulation (EFS)-evoked biphasic contractions are altered in ipsilateral and contralateral rat vasa deferentia obtained from animals exposed to the unilateral testicular torsion/detorsion procedure. We also evaluated the effects of melatonin (MLT), which is a strong antioxidant, on these contractile responses. Rats were subjected to torsion of the left testis for 2 h and then detorsion was performed. Contractility studies were carried out 2 h or 24 h after detorsion. Vas deferens strips were prepared from both the ipsilateral and the contralateral site 2 h or 24 h after the detorsion procedure to record EFS-evoked biphasic twitch responses. The same experimental protocol was repeated for the MLT-treated rats. Both phases of EFS-evoked contractions were decreased after torsion/detorsion in the ipsilateral vas deferens. MLT treatment increased torsion/detorsion-induced reduction of both phases of contractions after 2 h and 24 h. In the contralateral vas deferens, the first phase of EFS-evoked contractions was not changed, while the second phase of contractions was diminished 2 h and 24 h after detorsion. Although MLT decreased the second phase of contractions 2 h and 24 h after detorsion, it reduced the first phase of contractions only 2 h after detorsion. These results suggest that MLT produces an inhibition on EFS-evoked biphasic twitch responses in the ipsilateral and contralateral rat vasa deferentia following unilateral testicular torsion/detorsion in the rat.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Ischemia
  • Male
  • Melatonin / pharmacology*
  • Muscle Contraction / drug effects*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Testis / blood supply*
  • Vas Deferens / drug effects*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Melatonin