Experimental evaluation of the protective role of vitamin C, zinc and their combination against dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane [DDT] toxicity on the thyroid gland and the testis

ABSTRACT

This study divided 100 adult male albino rats into ten groups, each consisted of ten rats. DDT was given in a dose of 12 mg/kg, ascorbic acid [vitamin C] was administered in a dose of 2 gm/kg and zinc was given as 30 mg/kg. The materials were given orally daily for four weeks. The first six groups served as controls. Histopathologically, thyroid gland showed dilated large follicles, flattened epithelium with vacuolation and accumulation of colloid inside and some disrupted follicles. The testis showed a distortion of spermatogenic series with a single layer of flattened cells in some tubules. The administration of vitamin C, zinc or vitamin C + zinc with DDT had a protective effect on DDT induced toxicity on both thyroid gland and testis as shown by the improvement of hormonal assay and histopathological examination