Abstract:
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of ascorbic acid supplementation in drinking
water on semen quality, lipid peroxidation and plasma testosterone level of male rats. In this
investigation, 24 maleWistar rats were used. The animals were divided into three group, and 500, 250
and 0 (control) mg/kg/day ascorbic acid were supplemented with drinking water of rats in Groups A,
B and C during 8 weeks, respectively. Ascorbic acid supplementation did not increase in the body
weight and weights of the testis, epididymis, seminal vesicles and ventral prostate. Exogenous
supplementation with ascorbic acid significantly increased (P < 0.05) the concentration of ascorbic
acid in the testes and blood plasma, and the level of lipid peroxidation significantly decreased
(P < 0.05) in these locations. There was no significant difference in spermatozoon motility among
the three groups. However, epididymal sperm concentration and plasma testosterone level significantly
increased (P < 0.05) in the ascorbic acid treated animals when compared to the control
animals. The results suggest that ascorbic acid supplementation improves reproductive traits of male
rats that are associated with high fertility.
