Vitamin C Reverses Endosulfan-Induced Testicular Toxicity in Prepubertal Male Rats: A Histopathological Study

Background: Endosulfan causes male reproductive toxicity due to oxidative stress. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant, reduces cellular oxidative stress. The present study was aimed to investigate protective effect of vitamin C against Endosulfan induced testicular toxicity in Wistar rats.

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of Vitamin C against endosulfan-induced testicular histopathological changes in male Wistar rats.

Materials and Method: Seventy male neonatal Wistar rats were divided into seven groups. The group I was taken as the control group, The endosulfan-treated rats were grouped into II (3mg/kg body weight (BW) and group III (6 mg/kg BW), Group IV (9 mg/kg BW) and Group V (12 mg/kg BW). Group VI (9 mg/kg BW) and group VII (12 mg/kg BW) were pretreated with vitamin C (20 mg/kg BW) for 60 days. After 60 days, animals were sacrificed, testes were removed and processed for histopathological analysis.

Result: Histopathological analysis of testes shows significant damage such as necrosis, decrease in spermatogenesis, and increase in congestion of the capillary system in endosulfan treated rats. Pretreatment with vitamin C with endosulfan treated group showed cytoprotective effect and marked reduced testicular changes.

Conclusion: Treatment with Vitamin C decreases the toxic effect of endosulfan on testes irrespective of dose. This protective effect of Vitamin C is probably due to its antioxidant property.