ascorbic-acid and Rodent-Diseases

Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is an extensively used plasticizer which has raised some concerns about its safety on human health. This study aimed at evaluating the effects of vanillic acid (VA) and vitamin C (VC) supplementation on DEHP-induced testicular toxicity. Thirty-five adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 7 groups (A-G) (n = 5) receiving distilled water; 250 mg/kg bw of DEHP only; 30 mg/kg bw of VA and 250 mg/kg bw of DEHP; 30 mg/kg bw of VC and 250 mg/kg bw of DEHP; 30 mg/kg bw of DEHP plus 30 mg/kg bw of VA and 30 mg/kg bw of VC; 30 mg/kg bw of VA only; and 30 mg/kg bw of VC only, respectively. At the end of the experiment, blood was taken from the heart via cardiac puncture and stored, semen was collected from the caudal epididymis for immediate sperm analysis, while the testes were excised and preserved for histological examination and biochemical analysis. The results showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in body weights, sperm motility, sperm volume, sperm viability and count, antioxidant levels, and reproductive hormonal levels, with a significant increase (P < 0.05) in sperm morphological defect and lipid peroxidation level in DEHP-only group compared with the control but was ameliorated after VA and VC administration compared to the DEHP-only treated animals. VA and VC supplementation attenuated the toxic effects of DEHP on the testicular functions, morphology, and semen characterization of the experimental adult male Wistar rats.. Male infertility is considered when identifiable female causes of infertility are excluded and semen quantity and quality fail to fulfil World Health Organization criteria. From conception through to adulthood, people are exposed to limitless environmental toxicants among which di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) commonly found in personal care products, cosmetics, and medical devices is prevalent. The present study elaborated on the importance of taking antioxidant-rich foods containing vitamin C and vanillic acid, such as those found in various fruits, olives, whole wheat, and cereal grains, in combating infertility caused by environmental toxicants. An experiment was carried out on rats to see the effect of vanillic acid and vitamin C supplementation on preventing DEHP-induced testicular toxicity. The testicles and semen were analyzed from five rats in each treated and control groups. The data led us to conclude that vanillic acid and vitamin C supplementation do have attenuating effects on DEHP-induced testicular toxicity, due to their high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Diethylhexyl Phthalate; Female; Humans; Infertility, Male; Male; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Rodent Diseases; Semen; Sperm Motility; Testis; Vanillic Acid; Vitamins

In order to determine if the absence of vitamin C in the diet of capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) causes scurvy, a group of seven young individuals were fed food pellets without ascorbic acid, while another group of eight individuals received the same food with 1 g of ascorbic acid per animal per day. Animals in the first group developed signs of scurvy-like gingivitis, breaking of the incisors and death of one animal. Clinical signs appeared between 25 and 104 days from the beginning of the trial in all individuals. Growth rates of individuals deprived of vitamin C was considerably less than those observed in the control group. Deficiency of ascorbic acid had a severe effect on reproduction of another population of captive capybaras. We found that the decrease in ascorbic acid content in the diet affected pregnancy, especially during the first stages. The results obtained suggest that it is necessary to supply a suitable quantity of vitamin C in the diet of this species in captivity.

Topics: Animals; Animals, Zoo; Argentina; Ascorbic Acid; Diet; Female; Male; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Random Allocation; Retrospective Studies; Rodent Diseases; Rodentia; Scurvy

Inhibition of a variety of commercial test strips for hyperglucosuria was experienced in laboratory mice. All mouse strains tested were found to have sufficiently high levels of ascorbic acid to cause inhibition, and male levels were higher than those of females. A regime to obtain optimum detection of positive results is discussed.

Topics: 2,6-Dichloroindophenol; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; False Negative Reactions; Glucose Oxidase; Glycosuria; Mice; Mice, Inbred C3H; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Inbred Strains; Reagent Strips; Rodent Diseases

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Cholesterol; Cholesterol, Dietary; Female; Guinea Pigs; Male; Rodent Diseases; Scurvy; Sex Factors; Time Factors

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Carbon Isotopes; Collagen; Hydroxyproline; Iron; Ketoglutaric Acids; Mammary Glands, Animal; Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental; Mice; Mice, Inbred A; Mice, Inbred C3H; Mice, Inbred CBA; Mice, Inbred DBA; Mice, Inbred Strains; Mixed Function Oxygenases; Procollagen-Proline Dioxygenase; Proline; Rodent Diseases