Introduction: Hydroxyurea (HU) is used to treat cancers, sickle cell disease (SCD), and thalassemias but it induces reproductive toxicity through oxidative stress. Vitamin C, an antioxidant, has been shown to mitigate reproductive toxicity. This study examines Vitamin C’s effects on HU-induced male reproductive toxicity.

Method: Thirty rats weighing 180-250g were divided into six groups (A, B, C, D, E, F) with 5 rats each. Group A was the control, Group B received 100mg/kg body weight of Vitamin C (low dose), Group C received 200mg/kg (high dose), and Groups D, E, and F received 300mg/kg body weight of HU. Groups E and F also received low or high dose Vitamin C, respectively. After six weeks, blood samples were analyzed for FSH, LH, and testosterone levels, and testis tissue was stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin.

Results: Results showed that neither HU nor Vitamin C co-treatment significantly affected FSH and LH levels. HU alone reduced testosterone significantly compared to the control, but this reduction was reversed with both low and high-dose Vitamin C co-treatment. HU caused degenerative changes in the testis, which were reversed only in the high-dose Vitamin C group.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that Vitamin C supplementation could help protect against HU-induced testicular damage and preserve fertility in patients undergoing HU treatment.