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The effect of quinine and ascorbic acid on rat testes
A A Osinubi1, A O Daramola, C C Noronha
1Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria.
West African Journal of Medicine
|April 11, 2008
Summary
Quinine harms rat testes by increasing free radicals and lowering testosterone. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) partially reverses these negative effects, protecting testicular function.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Toxicology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Quinine is a known testicular toxicant in Sprague-Dawley rats.
- Previous research established quinine's adverse effects on male reproductive health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of quinine and ascorbic acid on testicular testosterone levels.
- To assess changes in lipid peroxidation secondary to quinine and ascorbic acid administration.
- To evaluate the protective effects of ascorbic acid against quinine-induced testicular damage.
Main Methods:
- Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control, quinine-only, and quinine plus ascorbic acid groups.
- Animals received intramuscular injections of quinine and/or ascorbic acid over eight weeks.
- Testicular testosterone, lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde), sperm parameters, and histology were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Quinine significantly increased free radicals and decreased testicular testosterone.
- Sperm concentration and motility were significantly reduced in quinine-treated rats.
- Ascorbic acid demonstrated a partial protective effect against quinine-induced testicular toxicity.
Conclusions:
- Ascorbic acid exhibits beneficial effects in mitigating quinine-induced testicular damage.
- Ascorbic acid protects against quinine-induced reductions in testosterone levels.
- Vitamin C supplementation may be a viable strategy to counteract quinine's adverse effects on male reproductive health.