Protective Effects of Vitamins D and E on Sperm Quality and Quantity in Vodka - Exposed Male Wistar Rats ( Rattus norvegicus )

Abstract

Infertility is a significant global health problem, with male factors responsible for nearly half of all cases. Alcohol exposure, particularly vodka, generates oxidative stress that disrupts sperm production and function. This study examined the protective effects of vitamin D, vitamin E, and their combination in male Wistar rats exposed to vodka. Twenty five rats were divided into five groups: control, vodka - only, vodka with vitamin D, vodka with vitamin E and vodka with combined vitamins D and E. Rats that received vodka showed a sharp decline in sperm quality, with concentration reduced to about forty two million per milliliter, motility decreased to around ten percent, and normal morphology present in only about one quarter of cells. Supplementation with vitamin D or vitamin E improved these parameters, while the combined treatment produced the greatest recovery, restoring concentration to more than sixty million per milliliter, motility to nearly one half, and normal morphology to almost two thirds. These findings suggest that the combination of vitamins D and E provides stronger protection against alcohol induced reproductive toxicity than either vitamin alone.