The ameliorative role of Ascorbic Acid on hyperthermia-induced Testicular damage

Abstract

Introduction: The gradual decline in sperm production has become growing concern and subject of widespread debates in the last decades. Factors have been implicated as possible causes of the deterioration of the male reproductive function, including exposure to heat. Ascorbic acid (AA), an antioxidant compound, has been indicated to play protective roles in male reproductive system.
Objective: This study is aimed to evaluate the ameliorative potential of Ascorbic Acid on damages caused by elevated scrotal temperature on Testicular structure and function in rats.
Materials and methods: Forty male Sprague Dawley rats were used and divided into A-D of 10 animals each: Group A served as Control and their testes were exposed to a water bath of 20±2℃, Groups B-D served as low, medium and high doses were exposed to a water bath of 33±2℃, 43±2℃ and 53±2℃ for 60 seconds for a period of 4 weeks respectively. Upon completion, 5 rats from each group were taken and euthanized. The remaining received 100 mg/kg of Ascorbic acid for 28 days and the rats were euthanized.
Results: Heat stress has deleterious effects on male fertility as it negatively impacts seminal parameters, hormonal milieu, oxidative stress, and testicular weight, leading to reduced sperm quality, hormonal imbalance, increased oxidative damage, and testicular atrophy. However, the presence of Ascorbic acid had some ameliorative properties on these adverse effects, which is due to its antiinflammatory and antioxidants properties.
Conclusion: From this study, the evidence suggests that ascorbic acid supplementation can ameliorate heat-induced testicular damage and holds promise as a therapeutic agent or as a dietary supplement for individuals exposed to heat stress.