Vitamin C mitigates potassium perchlorate exposure-induced disruption of spermatogenesis in medaka

ABSTRACT: Potassium perchlorate (KClO4), widely used in industrial and military applications, is an emerging environmental contaminant known to disrupt thyroid function. However, its potential impact on male reproductive health remains underexplored. In this study, we investigated the testicular toxicity induced by chronic KClO4 exposure over one spermatogenic cycle of medaka (Oryzias latipes) and evaluated the ameliorative effects of vitamin C. Adult male medaka were treated with 0.01 mg/L, 10 mg/L KClO4 and 10 mg/L KClO4 plus vitamin C (3 mg/mL) for 21 days. Fertilization percentage, histological examination, and transcriptomic profiling of the testis were performed. KClO4 exposure decreased fertilization success caused disorganization of seminiferous tubules, and dysregulated spermatogenic genes in the testis. Transcriptomic analysis revealed substantial dysregulation of genes involved in cadherin and tubulin binding, chromatin remodeling, oxidative stress response, and germ cell development. Co-administration of vitamin C mitigated these effects by restoring testicular morphology, restoring fertilization rates, and partially reversing gene expression changes disrupted by potassium perchlorate exposure. The present findings suggest that vitamin C provides protective effects against perchlorate-induced testicular toxicity and highlight the need for further exploration of antioxidant-based interventions to safeguard reproductive health from perchlorate exposure.

ORGANISM(S): Oryzias latipes

PROVIDER: GSE301281 | GEO | 2026/06/30

REPOSITORIES: GEO