This study investigated the protective effects of 1 mM Vitamin C and 1 mM Trolox on kinematic and oxidative stresses in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) sperm cells against flower‐like zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO‐NP, 1 mg/L) in vitro, during 2 hr. Trolox showed protective effects on all kinematic parameters measured for sperm cells against ZnO‐NPs, whereas Vitamin C only affected angular path velocity (VAP), linearity (LIN) and amplitude of lateral displacement of the sperm cell head (ALH). Although ZnO‐NPs reduced total glutathione (TGSH) and catalase (CAT) compared with the control, there were positive treatment effects for both Trolox and Vitamin C on antioxidant capacity. Conversely, while ZnO‐NP increased the rate of malondialdehyde (MDA) lipid peroxidation, it decreased following antioxidant therapy. This research suggests that Trolox and Vitamin C play a protective role for rainbow trout sperm exposed to ZnO‐NP.