Protection of sodium arsenite-induced ovarian toxicity by coadministrationof 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 wat er in arsenic-intoxicated zones. This study examines the coadministration o f L-ascorbate (vitamin C) on ovarian steroidogenesis, plasma levels of gona dotrophins, brain monoamines, and ovarian as well as uterine peroxidase act ivities in sodium arsenite-treated rats. After sodium arsenite treatment, r elative ovarian and uterine weights, ovarian Delta (5)-3 beta -HSD and 17 b eta -HSD activities, plasma levels of gonadotrophins, norepinephrine levels in midbrain and diencephalon, and the activities of peroxidase in ovary an d uterus were decreased significantly. On the other hand, serotonin levels in midbrain and diencephalon were increased significantly 28 days after sod ium arsenite treatment at the dose of 0.4 ppm/100 g body weight/rat/day. Al l these parameters were protected significantly and in most cases were unch anged from control level when L-ascorbate at 25 mg/100 g body weight/rat/da y was coadministered orally with sodium arsenite. This cotreatment of L-asc orbate with sodium arsenite also restored the estrous cycle in a regular ma nner. We concluded that L-ascorbate plays a pivotal role in maintaining nor mal ovarian activities and brain monoamines in arsenic-treated rats.