Effects of intraperitoneal administration of kisspeptin-10 on ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rat testicular torsion and detorsion model

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 DVM Graduate, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

2 Department of Surgery and Diagnostic Imaging, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

3 Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

4 Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

Abstract
Testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury during testicular torsion is strongly influenced by oxidative stress caused by excessive accumulation of uncaptured reactive oxygen species. Kisspeptin-10 (Kiss-10), a biologically active fragment of kisspeptin peptide family, has demonstrated significant anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic properties. Recent studies indicate that Kiss-10 can mitigate oxidative stress by reducing reactive oxygen species levels and enhancing the activity of endogenous anti-oxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase and catalase. This study examined the effects of Kiss-10on ischemia-reperfusion injury in testicular torsion/detorsion (T/D) of male rats. Twenty male rats were divided into four groups, including the control group and three treatment groups (720° T/D, 720° T/D + 0.50 µg kg-1 Kiss-10, and 720° T/D + 1.00 µg kg-1 Kiss-10). After inducing 720° clockwise testicular torsion for 2 hr, sperm parameters, such as number, motility, viability, DNA damage, and hypo-osmotic test were evaluated. The results showed that 720° T/D can increase sperm DNA damage. Also, it also had negative effects on overall motility and other properties, such as viability and plasma membrane functionality. The results also showed that administration of Kiss-10to T/D rats can reduce DNA damage. It could also increase overall motility, viability, and plasma membrane functionality compared to the T/D group. Based on our results, Kiss-10 provides significant protection against acute T/D injury to the testis when administered after spermatic cord torsion in rat.

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Volume 17, Issue 8
August 2026
Pages 581-587

  • Receive Date 12 August 2025
  • Revise Date 07 October 2025
  • Accept Date 15 November 2025