title: Protective role of ascorbic acid to enhance reproductive performance of male rabbits treated with stannous chloride.
abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the protective role of ascorbic acid (AA, 40 mg/kg BW) on reproductive performance of male New Zealand White rabbits given sublethal dose (20 mg/kg BW every other day for 12 weeks) of stannous chloride (SnCl2). Results showed that treatment with SnCl2 caused a decrease (P<0.05) in libido (by increasing the reaction time), ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm output, sperm motility (%), total motile sperm per ejaculate (TMS), packed sperm volume (PSV), total functional sperm fraction (TFSF), normal and live sperm and semen initial fructose. Dead sperm and initial hydrogen ion concentration (pH) were increased. While, relative weights of testes (RTW) and epididymis (REW) were decreased. On the other hand, live body weight (LBW) and dry matter intake (DMI) did not change. Treatment with AA alone caused significant increase in LBW, DMI, RTW, REW and semen characteristics compared to control group. Also, the presence of AA with SnCl2 minimized its harmful effects. Results obtained revealed suggest that assessment of reproductive toxicity of stannous chloride needs to be addressed, and may presently be underestimated. Also, the beneficial influences of AA in counteracting the toxic effects of SnCl2 and improved the reproductive performance of male rabbit was demonstrated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Studies, Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Alexandria, 163 Horreya Avenue, P.O. Box 832, Alexandria 21526, Egypt. mokhtar_yousef@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Mokhtar I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Yousef
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects; D005632:Fructose / Q000378:metabolism; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D012661:Semen / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects; D017971:Tin Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D020011:Protective Agents; D017971:Tin Compounds; C023599:stannous chloride; D005632:Fructose; D001205:Ascorbic Acid