Selenium supplementation prevents DNA damage in ram spermatozoa

Abstract

In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of selenium (Se) ovine nutritional supplementation on spermatozoa DNA integrity. Thirty male ovines (age: 10 months) were used. They were fed with hay and ram food in an intensive system, which was divided into stalls (5 m long and 3 m wide) with feeding troughs, and had ad libitum access to food and water. Ovines in group 1 (G1, the negative control) received mineral salt supplementation without Se; ovines in G2 received the same mineral salt mixed with 5 mg Se (as sodium selenite)/kg mineral supplement;ovines in G3 received 10 mg Se/kg mineral supplement; ovines in G4 received 15 mg Se/kg mineral supplement; and ovines in G5 received 20 mg Se/kg mineral supplement. Ovines in all groups remained untreated for 14 days, followed by a treatment period of 56 days. Semen samples were obtained by electroejaculation. The DNA damage in semen samples was evaluated using the comet assay. The experimental design was implemented using a 5 × 5 Latin Square, i.e., five treatments and five experimental periods. The mean differences were compared using Tukey’s test at a significance level of 5%. The control group (G1) showed a high percentage of DNA damage compared to the Se-treated groups (G2-G5). Therefore, Se supplementation could decrease the basal level of DNA damage in sperm cells, suggesting that Se might exert protective effects on sperm DNA.

Evaluation of biochemical and electrolytic components of semen from ram supplemented with different concentrations of selenium and its correlation with sperm quality

“…The addition of Se in ram feed can be a recommended practice considering its beneficial effects during spermatogenesis given its antioxidant and sperm protection functions during the maturation period (Ortunho et al, 2016;Piagentini et al, 2017). Beneficial actions were observed in semen from ram supplemented with different concentrations of Se, where this mineral promoted an improvement in semen quality, decreasing the percentage of sperm defects, and reducing damage to sperm DNA Piagentini et al, 2017;Moya et al, 2021). In our study, the different levels of Se supplementation evaluated maintained the concentrations of electrolytes and minerals in the semen of ram at their required levels, to conclude that higher Se intakes do not cause antagonistic effects on the absorption and subsequent action of others essential minerals supplied to animals and still maintains the electrolyte balance.…”

The Role of Selenium in Controlling Reproductive Disorder in Beef Cattle

“…Suplementasi Se dalam diet dapat meningkatkan aktivitas antioksidan GPx sehingga meningkatkan fertilitas jantan. Sebaliknya defisiensi Se dapat mempengaruhi fertilitas jantan dimana kandungan optimal Se di dalam semen berkisar antara 50 -60 μg/ml sehingga terdapat korelasi antara jumlah spermatozoa dan kandungan Se dalam semen (Moya et al 2021). Selanjutnya dilaporkan bahwa pemberian antioksidan termasuk selenium pada penderita subfertilitas jantan dapat memperbaiki kualitas spermatozoa dan/atau derajat kebuntingan (Ghorbani et al 2018;Khalil et al 2019).…”