Effects of selenium deficiency on testis development and autophagy in chicks

Abstract

To investigate the effects of Selenium (Se) deficiency on testis development and autophagy in chicks. 20 1-day old cocks were randomly divided into two groups, named the control check (CK) group [a basic diet (containing 0.333 mg Se/kg) was fed] and the Se-deficiency (Low Se) group [a selenium deficiency diet (containing 0.033 mg Se/kg) was supplied]. After 30 days, the body and testicle weights of the chicks were measured, and the organ coefficient was calculated. While haematoxylin-eosin staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, colorimetric method was used to assess the histopathological changes of testis, the changes of sex hormone levels, and antioxidant enzyme activities in two groups of chicks, respectively, the mRNA and protein expression of autophagy-related factors in the testes was determined by using quantitative PCR and western blotting. We found that Se deficiency resulted in a significant decrease in body and testicle weights of the chicks, a reduction in organ coefficients, and damaged testis tissue. The levels of sex hormone testosterone, oestradiol, the activities of serum antioxidant enzymes T-AOC, GSH-ST and GSH-PX in the Low-Se group were significantly lower than those in the CK group. Furthermore, the level of autophagy was significantly increased in the Low-Se group compared with the CK counterpart. The mRNA levels of Beclin1, Dynein, ATG-4B, ATG5, LC3-A and LC3-B genes in the Low-Se group were significantly higher than those in the CK group, while the protein expression of ATG5 and LC3-B was significantly increased in the Low-Se group compared with the CK counterpart. These data indicates dietary selenium-deprived chicks exhibit poor testicular development, impaired sex hormone synthesis, reduced antioxidant enzyme activity, and increased mRNA and protein expression of autophagy-related factors. HIGHLIGHTS Se-deprived chicks display poor testicular development, impaired sex hormone synthesis, reduced activity of antioxidant enzymes, and increased mRNA and protein levels of autophagy-related factors.

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