Abstract

To examine the possible protective role of vitamin C (200 mg/Kg B.W) as antioxidant against chromium induced oxidative stress. 18 male albino rats (3-4month old) were randomly allocated into three groups. The control group received distilled water, the second group exposed to oral intake of potassium dichromate (1000 ppm) in drinking water for30 days, chromium associated with vitamin C were given in third group for 30 days. The results showed that chromium produced significant decrease in the total sperm count, percentage of live sperm, relative testis, prostate, seminal vesicle, epididymale head and tail weights, also chromium produced significant increased in abnormal sperms, vitamin C, on the other hand increased significantly the percentage of total sperm count, live sperm and relative weight of testis and epididymal head and tail, prostate, seminal vesicle and decreased the percentage of abnormal sperm. It is concluded that, vitamin C supplementation reduced the toxic effects of chromium in the male rats.