Effect of prolonged whole‐body hyperthermia on adult male rat testes and the protective role of vitamin C and E: A histological and biochemical study

Abstract

Hyperthermia (HT) is a significant risk factor for male infertility. Most researchers investigated the effect of localized and short‐term HT on male fertility. This study aimed to assess the harmful impacts of prolonged and generalized HT on testicular histology and ultrastructure in rats. The possible protective effects of vitamin E (Vit E), Vit C, and their combination were also investigated. Thirty male adult Wister rats were used (5 groups). 1‐ control, 2‐ HT, 3‐ Vit C, 4‐ Vit E, and 5‐ Vit C + Vit E. Rats in groups 2–5 were subjected to HT (41°C), 1 hr daily for 2 weeks. HT‐induced a significant decrease in body weight gain, food and water intake, and serum testosterone. HT showed a damaging effect on the testicular and coda epididymis tissue. HT significantly (p ≤ .05) produced oxidative stress (decreased serum catalase (145.49 ± 8.98), glutathione peroxidase (20.27 ± 4.46), superoxide dismutase (2.68 ± 0.54), and reduced glutathione (5.18 ± 0.33), and increased malondialdehyde (9.46 ± 1.55). Vit E alone and combined with Vit C, significantly protected the gonads against the deleterious effects of HT. The results recommended that prolonged HT of the whole body is harmful to male fertility. Prophylactic therapy with Vit E could help decrease the HT‐induced male gonadal harm.