Ameliorated Effect of Ascorbic Acid and Selenium against the Stress Effect on Sperm Quality of Rats

Stress is defined as physical and/or psychological modifications that disrupt homeostasis in living organisms. The stimuli that confront homeostasis are determined as stressors; these external factors may be physical, chemical, psychological, and environmental. The results of some studies have shown that ascorbic acid is related to fertility and has an evolutionary significant role as an essential nutrient for humans and other animal species. Selenium is the most important mineral element in protecting health and growth and performing various biochemical and physiological functions. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the protective effects of vitamin C and selenium against restraint stress levels that caused a decrease in sperm quality in rats. This study was conducted on40 adult male Wistar rats that were randomly divided into 4equal groups (n=10 each). The first group (vitamin C group)was exposed to restraint stress for 6 h a day and supplemented with vitamin C (50 mg/kg bw/day) orally by gavage; the second group (Se group) was exposed to restraint stress for 6 h a day and supplemented with selenium (0.02 µg /kg bw/day) orally by gavage; the third group (negative control[NC] group)was exposed to restraint stress for 6 h a day and given normal saline (2 ml)orally by gavage; the fourth group (positive control [PC] group)was not exposed to restraint stress and given normal saline (2 ml)orally by gavage. The results showed that all the sperm parameters, such as total and progressive motility, and sperm viability increased significantly (P≤0.05) in vitamin C and Se groups, compared to the NC group. The rate of acrosome defects in vitamin C, Se, and PC groups was significantly reduced (P≤0.05), compared to the NC group. Moreover, the findings showed no significant differences among all the four groups. The results of the current study confirmed the ameliorated effect of vitamin C and selenium on semen quality and sperm parameters, such as motility, viability, morphology, and concentration, against the adverse effect of stress.