Assessment motility and membrane peroxidation of bull spermatozoa in the presence of different concentration of vitamin C

In the present study, we aimed to study the effect of different concentration of vitamin C (100-3000 micromolar), in vitro, on the membrane integrity and motility of bull spermatozoa in presence of iron (ferrous) ions as lipid peroxidation (LPO) promoter. LPO is one of the manifestations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) attack in biological membranes. LPO impinges on membrane integrity, triggers inactivation of membrane bound enzymes which involve in sperm motility. Vitamin C in the concentration below 1000 micromol protects spermatozoa from free radical damages as evidenced from improvement in their membrane integrity (data of LPO test and HOST) and motility.Concomitantly, there is also witnessed depletion of malondialdehde (MDA) (an end product of LPO) generation following vitamin C supplementation. Vitamin C at 1000 micromol concentration and above, however, is not protective, as evidenced by abrupt fall in sperm membrane integrity (increase in MDA levels and decrease in number of swollen sperm cells) and motility. Collectively, Vitamin C acts as a double-edged sword in different concentrations and researchers must keep in mind this negative side effect of this vitamin application in their research fields like in vitro fertilization/IVF, cell culture, and preservation of gametes.