The Protective Role Of Ascorbic Acid Administration On The Bicalutamide Induced Reduction In Semen Quality In The Sprague - Dawley Rat.

Abstract

Antineoplastic drugs used in the treatment of testicular carcinoma have been reported to have deleterious effects on the fertility potentials in affected males. The mechanism of damage involves the generation of free radicals.We evaluated the effect of using an antioxidant ascorbic acid as an adjuvant treatment with Bicalutamide on the androgen sensitive organs of the male Sprague-Dawley rats.Thirty-five adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 160-180 g were used for the experiment. The animals were randomly selected and divided into seven groups of five rats each. They were given 10 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg body weight of Bicalutamide and 200 mg/kg of Ascorbic acid for three and eight weeks. The animals were sacrificed and the cauda epididymides excised for sperm count and sperm motility analysis.There was observed decrease in semen quality with Bicalutamide that was attenuated by ascorbic acid co-administration. The concomitant administration of ascorbic acid has a protective role on reproductive function in males on Bicalutamide therapy.