Evaluation of comparative and compensatory role of the vitamin C and menthone on the cytotoxic effect of acyclovir induced on the rat spermatozoa

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate comparative and compensatory role of the vitamin C and menthone on the cytotoxic effect of acyclovir induced on the rat spermatozoa.Methods: In this experimental study, 108 wister adult male rats with average weight of 225gr,divided into six groups of cyclovir(ACV)(15mg/kg/d),ACV(15mg/kg/d),+ VC(20mg/kg/d),ACV(15mg/kg/d)+ menthone(100μl/d), ACV(15mg/kg/d)+ menthone(250μl/d),ACV(15mg/kg/d)+ menthone(400μl/d), and control group without any treatment. Each experiment was performed in three repeats. At the end of 48 days treatment, the cauda epididymis of each rats were cut and sperm samples were collected, isolated in PBS and examined by TUNEL staining process. The percentage of TUNEL positive spermatozoa was evaluated by fluoroscence microscopy.Result: Male rats exposed to ACV showed significant increase in DNA damages in comparison to other groups. The percentage of TUNEL positive sperm cells was highest in ACV groups showing sperm abnormalities leading to decrease potential fertility in male rats. The protective role of both vitamin C and menthone in high dose was found to reverse the adverse effects of the ACV on sperm DNA of treated animals.Conclusion: The results showed that menthone has a good compensatory effect with significant reduction in the apoptotic sperm cell number at the higher dose by reversing the adverse effect of ACV on the reproductive system in male rat.

Keywords:

Acyclovir , Menthone , Spermatozoa , Vitamin C