Protection of sodium arsenite-induced ovarian toxicity by coadministration of L-ascorbate (vitamin C) in mature Wistar strain rat

Arsenic, a major water pollutant in India, produces toxic effects on female reproductive system in rodent models at the dose available in drinking water in arsenic-intoxicated zones. This study examines the coadministration of L-ascorbate (vitamin C) on ovarian steroidogenesis, plasma levels of gonadotrophins, brain monoamines, and ovarian as well as uterine peroxidase activities in sodium arsenite-treated rats. After sodium arsenite treatment, relative ovarian and uterine weights, ovarian Delta (5)-3 beta -HSD and 17 beta -HSD activities, plasma levels of gonadotrophins, norepinephrine levels in midbrain and diencephalon, and the activities of peroxidase in ovary and uterus were decreased significantly. On the other hand, serotonin levels in midbrain and diencephalon were increased significantly 28 days after sodium arsenite treatment at the dose of 0.4 ppm/100 g body weight/rat/day. All these parameters were protected significantly and in most cases were unchanged from control level when L-ascorbate at 25 mg/100 g body weight/rat/day was coadministered orally with sodium arsenite. This cotreatment of L-ascorbate with sodium arsenite also restored the estrous cycle in a regular manner. We concluded that L-ascorbate plays a pivotal role in maintaining normal ovarian activities and brain monoamines in arsenic-treated rats.