Effect of Ascorbic Acid on Reproductive Function of Male Rats Exposed to Lead Acetate

Abstract

Background: The anti-oxidant ascorbic acid (AA) is known as a chelating agent in treatment of lead (Pb) toxicity, and has been reported to protect the cells from oxidative stress. Objective(s): This work aims to study the efficiency of ascorbic acid on semen quality, sex hormone, antioxidant parameters and testis histology in rats treated with lead acetate. Methods: A total of 50 male rats were divided into five equal groups; control group (received tap water only), Pb group (received 0.2% lead acetate/kg, BW) and the other three groups (received 500, 1000 and 1500 mg/kg BW AA along with 0.2% lead acetate/kg BW), respectively. Doses (as solutions) were orally administered every day for 8 weeks. Motility, validity, abnormal and dead sperm were assessed. Testosterone, luteinizing (LH) and follicle- stimulating (FSH) hormones were measured. Antioxidant activity [glutathione (GSH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and the level of nitric oxide (NO)] were determined. Histopathological examination was done for testis. Results: The results showed that Pb caused a significant increase in number of abnormal and dead sperms in Pb group (43.0%, 67.2%) comparing to the control group (6.0%, 18.6%) respectively. Motility and validity of the sperm were significantly decreased in Pb group (16.0%, 32.8%) comparing to the control group (84.2%, 81.4%) respectively. Pb caused a significant increase in FSH (1.99 mIU/L) and LH (1.2 mIU/L) and a decrease in Testosterone hormones (0.86 nmol/L) comparing to the control group (0.64 mIU/L, 1.2 mIU/L, 5.24 nmol/L) respectively. On the other hand, AA caused a significant decrease in numbers of abnormal and dead sperms than in Pb group. AA also caused an increase in motility and viability of the sperms at all levels. Testosterone hormone showed a marked increased with AA and the best effect was found with the high level (1500 mg /kg BW). For antioxidant activity it was found that Pb caused a significant increase in NO and TBARS levels comparing to the control group, while it decreased significantly GSH and TAC levels. The significant effect for AA was found with the high level (1500 mg) on NO (28.5 µmol/ml) and GSH (4.9 µmol/ml). Also, it was found that AA significantly affected TBARS and TAC at all levels. Histopathological examination showed the presence of AA reduced the harmful effect of lead acetate on testis. Conclusion: High daily intake of AA from rich sources or from supplementation can protect reproductive system of male rats from lead toxicity.