Fig. 3

I and II Histopathological changes in rat’s testes of the control and different treatment groups after 3 and 14 days of irradiation and melatonin treatment (A and D). Testicular section of the normal control (Con-3 and 14) and MLT-treated rats (MLT-3 and 14) showing well-developed seminiferous tubules (ST) enclosed by an intact basement membrane (BM), regular arrangement of germinal epithelium spermatogonia (SG), Spermatocyte (SP), spermatids (SD), spermatozoa (SZ) filling the tubular lumen, Sertoli cell (SC), and prominent interstitial cellularity Leydig cell (LC). Testicular sections of irradiated rats (IR-3 and 14) illustrate irregular seminiferous tubule appearance with folded basement membrane (FBM) with detached basement membranes (asterisk), widen interstitial space (WIS), dilation of blood vessels (DBV), degenerated and poorly developed LC, and cell debris in the lumen (CD). Treatment of irradiated rats with MLT (IR + MLT-3 and 14) displaying seminiferous tubule and spermatogenesis amelioration in most of the seminiferous tubules with minor cell debris and vacuolation (V). (H&E, ×  = 100 and 400 respectively). Quantification is expressed as the diameter and perimeter of seminiferous tubules (µm) in all studied groups (B and C, respectively). Each value represents the mean ± SEM of five microscopic fields/tissue samples. ** Highly significant at P < 0.01. ***, ###, %%%, @@@ Very Highly significant at P < 0.001. **& *** Significant as compared with the control 3 days group. ### Significant as compared with the control 14 days group. %%% Significant as compared with the IR 3 days group. @@@ Significant as compared with the IR 14 days group. Cont control, MLT melatonin, IR irradiated