Vitamin C ameliorates tetrahydrocannabinol-induced spermatotoxicity in-vitro

Abstract

Background: We investigated the in-vitro effects of vitamin C on delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-induced reduction in spermatozoa motility and kinematics. Methods: Six rats were used for the study. Semen from each of the 6 rats was randomly divided into 6 groups such that each rat’s semen was in all of the groups. Groups I-III received placebo, THC (1 mM), and vitamin C (5 mM) respectively. Group IV was pretreated with cannabinoid receptors’ blockers (CBs-) 1 and 2, followed by THC. Groups V and VI received THC and vitamin C, but group VI was additionally pre-treated with CBs-. Results: The spermatozoa progressive motility, average path velocity (VAP), curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight-line velocity (VSL), amplitude of lateral head (ALH) and beat cross frequency (BCF) were reduced by THC (6.08±1.16%; 5.64±0.82 µm/s; 6.96±0.74 µm/s; 2.75±0.23 µm/s; 0.31±0.02 µm; and 0.78±0.08 Hz respectively) but increased by vitamin C (51.20±1.32 %; 17.90±0.21 µm/s; 25.11±0.96 µm/s; 8.80±0.27 µm/s; 0.75±0.01 µm; and 3.15±0.03 Hz respectively) when compared to control (39.72±0.38 %; 13.70±0.29 µm/s; 18.04±0.58 µm/s; 7.54±0.34 µm/s; 0.65±0.02 µm; and 2.79±0.01 Hz respectively). Vitamin C inhibited the THC-induced reduction in these parameters (37.36±0.73 %; 10.98±0.45 µm/s; 13.58±0.30 µm/s; 7.11±0.22 µm/s; 0.58±0.01 µm; and 2.60±0.01 Hz respectively) in the absence of CBs- 1 and 2, and even caused additional increases in progressive motility (49.54±1.01 %), VAP (15.70±0.38 µm/s) and VCL (22.53±0.29 µm/s) above the control levels with CBs-.Conclusion: Vitamin C ameliorates the THC-induced reduction in spermatozoa motility in-vitro by modulation of their kinematics.

Microplastics: A Threat for Male Fertility

“…In this respect, dietary intervention may help in the preservation of sperm quality along life span and may contribute to the treatment of reproductive dysfunctions. Just to give a few examples, melatonin has been reported to ameliorate the Δ 9 -THC-dependent reduction in hyper-activated sperm hyper motility in capacitated spermatozoa [ 69 ], whereas vitamin C ameliorates spermatozoa motility and kinematics in vitro [ 70 ]. Resveratrol, a phytochemical found in wine, grapes, rhubarb, blueberries, and peanuts, is able to counteract in vitro the detrimental effects of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon benzo-α-pyrene on human sperm motility, chromatin organization, lipid peroxidation, and the production of mitochondrial superoxide anion [ 71 ].…”