Open Access

REVIEW

Melatonin and its protective role against male reproductive toxicity induced by heavy metals, environmental pollutants, and chemotherapy: A review

TIECHENG SUN^1,#, LINGLI SONG^1,#, JING MA^2,#, HONG YU¹, SHANJIE ZHOU¹, SHUSONG WANG², LI TIAN^1,3,*

1 Reproductive Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University International Hospital, Beijing, 102206, China
2 NHC Key Laboratory of Family Planning and Healthy/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, 050051, China
3 Reproductive Medicine Centre, Peking University Second Affiliated Hospital, Beijing, 100044, China

* Address correspondence to: Li Tian,
# These authors contributed equally to this work.

BIOCELL 2020, 44(4), 479-485. https://doi.org/10.32604/biocell.2020.011675

Received 23 May 2020; Accepted 19 August 2020; Issue published 24 December 2020

Abstract

Melatonin, as a ubiquitous indoleamine hormone, is synthesized primarily by the pineal gland. It has diverse biological effects through quite complex mechanisms. More recently, studies have focused on the mechanism of melatonin in anti-reproductive toxicity/damage. Since melatonin possesses strong antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties, researchers have examined its potential role in protecting against male reproductive toxicity/damage, which may be induced by chemotherapy or environmental toxicants and can lead to male infertility. In this article, recent progress regarding the protective effects of melatonin on male reproductive toxicity/damage is reviewed.

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