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Reversal of experimental
varicocele-induced testicular toxicity by L-ascorbate in
rats
Saalu, L. C.1*,
Oguntola, J. A.1, Babalola, O. S.1 and
Oyewopo, A. O.2
1Department
of Anatomy, Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM)
Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
2Department
of Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, University of
Ilorin, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author.
E-mail:
chiasaalu@hotmail.com.
Tel:
234-8033200876.
Accepted
16 December, 2008 |
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Varicoceles are the abnormal tortuosity and dilatation of the
veins of the pampiniform plexus that drain the testis.
Varicoceles are variously considered the commonest
“correctable” cause of infertility or the commonest
“reported” cause of infertility depending on individual
viewpoint. Even though the pathophysiology of testicular
damage in varicocele has not been completely understood,
there is an increasing body of evidence pointing towards the
role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress
in the pathogenesis of varicocele related subfertility. In
this study we investigated the role of L-ascorbate (vitamin
C) as an antioxidant in rejuvinating the testis following
its damage in experimental varicocele. Thirty male Sprague-
Dawley weighing 150-200 g were divided into three groups.
While the first group had sham operations, experimental
varicoceles were established by complete ligation of the
left and right main spermatic vein in the later two groups.
The third group in addition to varicocele induction had
daily gavage administration of 8 mg/kg body weight vitamin C
for fifty six days. All animals were sacrificed by
decapitation fifty six days after varicocele induction.
Testicular weights, testicular volumes, caudal epididymal
sperm characteristics, testicular histology and serum
hormone levels were evaluated. Results showed that the
testes of the rats that were given vitamin C post
experimental varicocele had better physiological,
biochemical and histological profiles than those of the
untreated animals. These results indicate the potency of
vitamin C for modulating testicular toxicity in
varicocelized animals.
Key
words:
Varicocele, ascorbic acid, testis, infertility. |
