Ascorbic Protects Testicular Oxidative Stress and Spermatozoa Deformationsin Male Swiss Mice Exposedto Lead Acetate

Lead is the known environmental contaminant adversely affecting the male reproductive system in human and experimental animals. The cytotoxic effects of lead on male reproductive system involve the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative damage in tissue. The higher quantities of ROS in testicular tissue detrimentally affected developing germ cells so as to produce verities of morphological abnormal sperm and finally reduced sperm count. The present study shows that lead exposure reduce testes weight and increase lipid peroxidation in the testes of mice in comparison to control. The sperm counts were significantly reduced in number. Importantly, lead treated mice show deformations in sperm morphology and testicular injuries. Supplementation of vitamin C daily to lead treated mice increase testes weight and partially protects testis from oxidative stress. In addition, vitamin C causes an increase in sperms count and significantly lowers the morphologically deformed sperms population. We conclude that taking daily consumption of vitamin C could be useful in lowering oxidative stress and sperm deformations in male mice exposed to lead.