Role of ascorbic acid in metabolism of rat testis and epididymis in relation to the onset of puberty

The metabolism of ascorbic acid, cholesterol, serum testosterone level and activities of 3Β and 17Β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases were studied in testis and Cauda epididymis of prepubertal, pubertal and postpubertal (5, 15, 30, 45, 55 and 60 day old) rats. The data showed that serum testosterone levels and 3Β and 17Β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases were increased with the age. The ascorbic acid metabolism was found to be stabilized in testis at day 30 being comparable with the adult, whereas a spurt in its metabolism occurred by day 45 and a significant depletion in ascorbic acid content in relation to the passage of the first wave of spermatozoa through cauda epididymis. The results of this study clearly elucidate that ascorbic acid is involved in metabolism of testis and epididymis in developing postnatal rats, in relation to the increasing demands for attaining a stable hormonal milieu, and the onset of puberty and the passage of the first wave of spermatozoa,via the formation of its free radical monodehydroascorbic acid and charge transfer complex mechanism