Reperfusion has always been "the emergency intervention" to ischemic tissue. For a given period of time, tissue injury due to ischemia and reperfusion is more serious than injury due to ischemia only. Groups were as: Group 1: 25 μg/kg dexmedetomidine + ischemia/reperfusion group. Group 2: 10 mg/kg yohimbine +25 μg/kg dexmedetomidine + ischemia/reperfusion group. Group 3: Ischemia/reperfusion (control) group. Group 4: Healthy rats. Rat ovaries were exposed to a 3-hour ischemia and then reperfusion ensured for 2 hours. After ischemia/reperfusion, total glutathione, malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxyguanine levels and histopathological investigation were studied. The highest total glutathione and the lowest malondialdehyde and DNA damage levels were determined in dexmedetomidine group when compared to control group. The difference between yohimbine + dexmedetomidine and the control group was insignificant. Dexmedetomidine protects the ovarian tissue of the rat from I/R injury. It is hypothesized that this protective effect of dexmedetomidine is mediated by the α-2 adrenergic receptors. Dexmedetomidine could be useful for attenuation of tissue damage after I/R and prevention of I/R-related complications. © 2013 Informa UK, Ltd.