Role of antioxidant in chemotherapy related infertility

Abstract

Background: Chemotherapeutic agent Doxorubicin (DOX), an anthracycline induced gonadotoxic damage has concerned physicians for decades. DOX induces damage on healthy tissues through the formation of free radicals. Vitamin C, a water-soluble non-enzymatic antioxidant was used to study its protective role on male gonads damaged by DOX. Methods: In this experimental study 30 male mice were divided into 3 groups of 10 mice each, A, B, and C. Group A was given normal saline 1 ml intra-peritoneal (IP). Group B mice were given DOX alone (0.003 mg in 0.03 ml/gm body weight IP for 3 doses on 6^th, 8^th and 10^th day of study). In Group C, DOX (0.003 mg in 0.03 ml/gm body weight IP for 3 doses on 6^th, 8^th and 10^th day of study) was given and Vitamin C (0.5 mg in 0.01 ml/gm body weight per orum daily was added to medication. On completion of experiment, epididymides dissected along with testes from sacrificed animals and were placed in Petri dish containing 5 ml saline and left for a few minutes for spermatozoa to float. Neubauer chamber was used for sperm count. Results: The DOX administration significantly decreased (p<0.001) number and motility of sperms as compared to controls. However co-administration of Vitamin C with DOX significantly reduced (p<0.001) the seminiferous epithelial damage. Sperm parameters seemed to be improved as compared to DOX only and control group respectively. Conclusion: Vitamin C has protective role against DOX induced testicular damage.

Pak J Physiol 2020;16(1):14–6