Age-related nitrate-induced testicular toxicity in albino rats and its amelioration with ascorbic acid and curcumin.

The sub-chronic testicular toxicity of nitrate in immature and mature albino rats and its amelioration with ascorbic acid and curcumin was studied. Rats were divided into five groups: control, nitrate, nitrate + ascorbic acid, nitrate + curcumin and nitrate + ascorbic acid + curcumin. Nitrate at 250 mg/L in drinking water and ascorbic acid and curcumin at 100 mg/kg body weight were provided to rats for 42 days. A significant increase in level of malondialdehyde and decreases in sperm parameters; level of testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone; antioxidant enzymes activity; and testis's histological alterations were observed in both age groups of rats due to nitrate, with immature rats being more affected. The testicular toxicity was more severe in immature rats compared to mature rats and effectively ameliorated by combination of ascorbic acid and curcumin, followed by curcumin and ascorbic acid individually in both age groups.