Effect of chronic unpredictable stressors on reproductive parameters in male wistar rats: role of ascorbic acid

AIM: Chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) may be more applicable as a model of post-traumatic stress disorder because of the lack of predictability, which could permit habituation.The present study, was aimed to investigate the effect of chronic unpredictable stressors on reproductive parameters and their possible relation with testicular ascorbic acid level.MATERIALS AND METHOD: Adult male Wistar rats were divided into two groups as non stressed group (n = 10) and stressed group (n = 10). The stressed groups were exposed to 10 days of CUS. The epididymal sperm count, sperm abnormalities, testicular weight, testicular lipid peroxidation and ascorbic acid level of the testis were estimated. All experimental procedures and animal maintenance confirmed to the strict guidelines of Institutional Ethics Committee. RESULTS:The results were analyzed statistically by using student‘t’ test. P < 0.05 was considered as significant. Exposure to CUS showed a significant (P < 0.001) decrease in the weight of the reproductive organs, sperm count, and ascorbic acid level. Further, significant increase (P < 0.001) was observed in testicular lipid peroxidation level and incidence of sperm abnormality. CONCLUSION:The present data suggest that CUS has deleterious effect on spermatogenesis Further, stress induced oxidative damage might be mediated through its effect on reducing ascorbic acid level.