The Effect of Zinc and Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation in Combination with Vitamin C on Lead Acetate-Induced Testicular Injury and Oligospermia in Rats

Background: Male infertility means that a man cannot start a pregnancy with the female partner. In this relation, the fatal impact of environment factors such as heavy metals was reported a worldwide concern. Recent studies revealed that high concentrations of lead could cause a decrease in sperm motility, volume, count, concentration and activity. Zinc,
coenzyme Q10 and vitamin C as effective antioxidants were discussed in this relation. So this study evaluated the protective effect of zinc, coenzyme Q10 in combination with vitamin C against lead acetate induced testicular toxicity and oligospermia in rats.
Methods: Thirty adult male rats were allocated to five equal groups including control, induced lead (LA), Zinc, coenzyme Q10 and their combination with vitamin C as treatment groups. They were administered orally by gavage two hours before lead acetate induction. Semen profile and gonadal histopathology were assessed at the end 21 days.
Results: LA exposure could lead to oligospermia and a decrease in sperm motility, viability and abnormality in morphology. Zinc, coenzyme Q10 and their combination with vitamin C resulted in a significant higher number of normal sperms up. Histopathological findings showed protective effects of zinc, coenzyme Q10 and their combination and establishment of a normal histoarchitecture in testis with normal sperms.
Conclusion: Supplementation with zinc, coenzyme Q10 and their combination with vitamin C could overcome the lead induced testicular injuries and oligospermia and result in an increase in sperms quality of rats.