P-8: The Protective Effect of Ascorbic Acid on The Germ Cells Population and Daily Sperm Production in Mice Treated with Sodium Arsenite

Background Oxidative stress has been suggested to be a major cause of reproductive failure. Arsenic as an environmental toxicant can exert malformation in the reproductive system by inducing oxidative stress. Ascorbic acid, a potent antioxidant, is able to restrict oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the adverse effect of sodium arsenite on the germ cells population and daily sperm production as well as to examine whether vitamin C is able to ameliorate these undesired effects. MaterialsAndMethods Twenty-four adult male NMRI mice were randomly allocated into four groups including control, Sodium arsenite (7 mg/kg/day, orally), ascorbic acid (150 mg/kg/day, orally) and finally Sodium arsenite plus ascorbic acid. Mice were treated for 35 days. At the end, mice were sacrificed and their right testis were taken out, fixed, processed and stained with heidenhain azan method.The number of germ and sertoli cells were examined with the optical dissector method. Daily sperm production (DSP) was measured using the homogenization technique. Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA and means were considered significantly different at P