Effect of supplementation with inorganic and organic selenium on sperm quality and quantity in north-east Bulgarian merino rams

Abstract

Selenium is a trace element, which stimulates antioxidant defenses and improves reproductive functions in human and animals, under the form of selenoproteins. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of selenium, supplemeted as inorganic or organic form in the diet of stud rams, on some of their semen parameters. The experiment was performed with 15 clinically healthy rams from North East Bulgarian merino breed. The animals were divided in three groups (5 per group). The rams from first experimental group (G1) received a diet with supplementation of 4,0mg sodium selenite (Na 2 SeO 3) per animal per day, while the animals of the second experimental group (G2) obtained diet with 1.83g L-selenomethionine (Sel-Plex, Alltech, USA) per animal per day. Eventually, each animal from the G1 and G2 received 1.83g selenium per day. The control group (GC) received a diet without supplementation of selenium. The principal composition of the diet in each group was the same. The ejaculates were obtained via artificial vagina. The evaluated parameters were volume and pH of the ejaculates and motility, concentration and in vitro survivability of the spermatozoa at 39˚С for 360 min. It was found that the supplementation of ram studs diet either with inorganic and organic selenium led to increase in the volume of the Rossen Stefanov et al. 70 ejaculates, motility and survivability of the spermatozoa. The pH of the freshly obtained semen was not affected by selenium treatment.

Role of Selenium and Selenoproteins in Male Reproductive Function: A Review of Past and Present Evidences

“…In addition, Stefanov and colleagues [107] studied the effects of organic (1.83g L-SeMet [Sel-Plex] per animal per day) and inorganic (4.0 mg sodium selenite per animal per day) Se supplementation on semen parameters in Bulgarian Merino rams. After 45 days of Se dietary supplementation, improvements were observed in semen volume per ejaculate, sperm motility and overall sperm survival rate in treated rams [107].…”

“…In addition, Stefanov and colleagues [107] studied the effects of organic (1.83g L-SeMet [Sel-Plex] per animal per day) and inorganic (4.0 mg sodium selenite per animal per day) Se supplementation on semen parameters in Bulgarian Merino rams. After 45 days of Se dietary supplementation, improvements were observed in semen volume per ejaculate, sperm motility and overall sperm survival rate in treated rams [107]. Besides, in a very recent study on a mouse model, Asri-Rezaei and colleagues [108] observed that an intraperitoneal injection of sodium selenite (0.50 mg per kg body weight) and Se nanoparticles (0.50 mg per kg body weight) for seven consecutive days adequately improved the tissue Se concentration in testis (as observed on day 28 post-injection).…”

Effect of Acacia mearnsii Tannin Extract Supplementation on Reproductive Performance and Oxidative Status of South African Mutton Merino Rams

“…The group supplemented with 3 g ETE had lower percentages of the slow and non-progressive motility spermatozoa as compared to the control, 1.5 ETE and 3 g TE groups. The positive effects of supplementation with antioxidants on sperm motility have been reported in several studies [ 42 , 48 , 49 ]. The mode of action for the improvement of sperm motility after antioxidant supplementations is still under investigation [ 50 ].…”

Role for Selenium in Metabolic Homeostasis and Human Reproduction

“…Another study evaluated the impact of organic and inorganic Se supplementation on ram semen parameters supplemented with either 1.83 mg organic Se (SeMet) per animal per day and 4.0 mg inorganic Se (sodium selenite) per animal per day. After 45 days of Se supplementation, the semen ejaculate volume, sperm motility and viability were significantly higher in Se supplemented diet compared to the control group; organic Se had a much faster effect compared to inorganic Se [ 144 ]. In addition, a recent study reported that boars fed on organic Se-based diet (0.5 mg per kg) determined a 23% increase in the sperm concentration per week compared to inorganic Se-based diet (0.5 mg per kg) [ 145 ].…”