the effect of zinc and coenzyme q10 supplementation in combination with vitamin c on lead acetate-induced testicular injury and oligospermia in rats

Background: male infertility means that a man cannot start a pregnancy with the female partner. in this relation, the fatal impact of environment factors such as heavy metals was reported a worldwide concern. recent studies revealed that high concentrations of lead could cause a decrease in sperm motility, volume, count, concentration and activity. zinc,coenzyme q10 and vitamin c as effective antioxidants were discussed in this relation. so this study evaluated the protective effect of zinc, coenzyme q10 in combination with vitamin c against lead acetate induced testicular toxicity and oligospermia in rats.methods: thirty adult male rats were allocated to five equal groups including control, induced lead (la), zinc, coenzyme q10 and their combination with vitamin c as treatment groups. they were administered orally by gavage two hours before lead acetate induction. semen profile and gonadal histopathology were assessed at the end 21 days.results: la exposure could lead to oligospermia and a decrease in sperm motility, viability and abnormality in morphology. zinc, coenzyme q10 and their combination with vitamin c resulted in a significant higher number of normal sperms up. histopathological findings showed protective effects of zinc, coenzyme q10 and their combination and establishment of a normal histoarchitecture in testis with normal sperms.conclusion: supplementation with zinc, coenzyme q10 and their combination with vitamin c could overcome the lead induced testicular injuries and oligospermia and result in an increase in sperms quality of rats.