Introduction: Diabetes is the commonest endocrine disease in the world. Its pathological effects extend nearly to all organs. Oxidative stress is one of the mechanisms by which diabetes causes organ damage. Diabetes leads to development and exaggeration of testicular disorders.
Aim of the Work: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the vitamins (C&E) treatment prior to and concomitant with development of diabetes. The effects are studied histopathologically, ultrustructurally, biochemically, and morphometrically.
Material and Methods: Forty adult male albino rats were used in this study. They were divided into four equal groups: control (Group I: given food and water ad libitum); Vehicle control (Group II: given intraperitoneal injection of citrate buffer only 0.1 M, pH = 4.5); Diabetic (Group III: 40 mg/kg streptozotocin dissolved in citrate buffer injected intraperitoneally); dia-betic group with vitamin C&E (Group IV: Vitamin C & E supplemented diet was introduced for six weeks (2 weeks prior to induction of diabetes and for four weeks concomitant with diabetes). Blood testosterone level was measured. Seminiferous tubules' surface area, Johnsen-like score and basement membrane thickness image analysis were evaluated.
Results: In diabetic group, ultrastructural examination revealed a thickened and distorted basement membrane and wide intercellular spacing. Morphometrically, diabetes reduced Johnsen-like score and increased tubular surface area. Furthermore, blood testosterone level in diabetic rats was significantly decreased when compared with the control group. These alterations were ameliorated with vitamins treatment prior to and concomitant with diabetes as the basement membrane was thin, regular, and there was an increase in germinal strata.
Conclusion: The treatment with combined vitamin C & E in diabetes was effective in reducing oxidative stress and oedema of testes and significantly increased Johnsen like score. this supports the importance of nutritional administration of antioxidant Vitamins