Oxidative Stress and Testosterone Levels

The SOD levels in rat testicular tissue were measured using a colorimetric SOD activity assay kit (Sigma-Aldrich, Darmstadt, Germany) at a wavelength of 550 nm [18 (link)]. Blood samples were collected from the aortic arch to obtain serum for measuring the MDA and testosterone levels. The MDA levels in serum were measured using the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (Sigma-Aldrich) method with an ultraviolet-1601 spectrophotometer at a maximum wavelength of 535 nm [19 ]. Serum testosterone was measured using a solid-phase competitive chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay with a testosterone kit (IMMULITE^® 1000 total testosterone, Siemens AG, Munich, Germany) [20 (link)].