The effect of 30-day dark deprivation (light-dark cycle 24/0 h, artificial illumination 300 Lux) on the morphofunctional state of the testes was studied using morphological and morphometric analysis of histological preparations of white mongrel male rats 4 months of age. The level of follicle-stimulating hormone in blood serum was assessed by enzyme immunoassay. It was found that 30-day dark deprivation increases the level of follicle-stimulating hormone in the blood serum. Morphological changes in the testes were characterized by a decrease in the area of Sertoli cells and their nuclei, the thickness of the spermatogenic epithelium. The hormonal background and morphofunctional state of the testes were corrected by the administration of exogenous melatonin for 14 days.

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Studies on white outbred 3,54-month-old male rats showed that stress caused by chronic 2-month social isolation has a negative impact on reproductive function. A negative effect of long-term social isolation on the sexual behavior of male rats was revealed: a statistically significant increase in the latent period until the first emotional approach to the female, a decrease in the total time of emotional approaches, the time of anogenital sniffing of the female partner, and the number of allogrooming acts. At the same time, chronic isolation stress does not have a statistically significant effect on the total number of spermatozoa in the ejaculate of male rats, but it contributes to an increase in immobile forms, a decrease in the time of spermatozoa motility and their acid resistance compared to intact animals.