Protective effect of ascorbic acid on Cimetidine-induced reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats

Abstract

The effects of the H2 receptor antagonist, cimetidine on the male reproductive system have been well studied and shown to cause several untoward effects. The present study evaluates the influence of vitamin C (YTC) on the testicular effects of cimetidine in the rat. Different animal groups (n = 6) were orally administered cimetidine (30 or 60 mg kg-1 day-1); VTC (50 mg kg-1 day-1) plus cimetidine and vehicle (1 mL kg-1 day-1) for 14 days. Animals were sacrificed and their testes were removed. Sperm was collected from the epididymis and analyzed. Histology of testis was also performed using standard methods. Cimetidine caused significant (p<0.05) and dose-dependent reductions in sperm count and motility, without an effect on sperm morphology and viability. Cimetidine also caused alterations in the histology of the testis with marked degeneration of seminiferous epithelium, vacuolization and maturation arrest of spermatogenic cells. Furthermore, cimetidine failed to produce any significant effect on semen parameters in VTC-treated animals. Also, there was no alteration in the histology of testis in VTC-treated animals, compared to control. From the results, cimetidine alters testicular function which may be inhibited or protected by VTC. © 2014 Academic Journals Inc.