Effect of Vitamin C on Epididymal Sperm Quality in the Rat Experimentally Induced Unilateral Cryptorchidism

Objective- Release of free radicals and oxidants following increased temperature of testis in cryptorchidism, play an important role in the producing testicular damage. The present study investigated the role of vitamin C as an antioxidant in protecting the testis against damage in experimental unilateral cryptorchidism. Design- Experimental study Animals- Forty five male adult Wistar–Albino rats Procedures- Animals were divided into three groups. The control group had intact rats, the cryptorchid group had unilateral cryptorchid rats in left testis and the treatment group had unilateral cryptorchid rats in left testis that it received vitamin C at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneal, every other day, during experimental period. Epididymis samples were obtained from both testes of five cases of 15 animals of each group at 15, 30 and 60 days after induction of cryptorchidism and testicular weight/body weight ratio and epididymal sperm characteristics (sperm concentration, sperm motility and sperm viability) were evaluated. Results- Testicular weight/body weight ratio and sperm quality of the cryptorchid (left) testes in cryptorchid group significantly decreased compared to the control group (p<0.05), and treatment with vitamin C not significantly improved these parameters of these testes compared to the cryptorchid group (p>0.05). In addition, the left testes on unilateral cryptorchid rats had noticeable adverse effects on the sperm quality parameters of scrotal (right) testes (p<0.05), and treatment with vitamin C after 60 days, significantly improved all sperm quality parameters of these testes compared to the cryptorchid group (p<0.05). Conclusion and clinical relevance- It can be concluded that although treatment with vitamin C has few positive effect on sperm quality of cryptorchid testes, but it can significantly improve these parameters in scrotal testes on unilateral cryptorchid rats. Therefore it may be useful for treatment of cryptorchidism outcomes in male animals.