Selenium supplementation and pregnancy outcomes

Abstract

In vertebrates and invertebrates, selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient, and Se deficiency or excess is associated with gonadal insufficiency and gamete dysfunction in both males and females, leading to implantation failure, altered embryonic development and, ultimately, infertility. During pregnancy, Se excess or deficiency is associated with miscarriage, pre-eclampsia (hypertension of pregnancy), gestational diabetes, fetal growth restriction and preterm birth. None of this is surprising, as Se is present in high concentrations in the ovary and testes, and work in animal models has shown that addition of Se to culture media improves embryo development and survival in vitro in association with reduced reactive oxygen species and less DNA damage. Selenium also affects uterine function and conceptus growth and gene expression, again in association with its antioxidant properties. Similarly, Se improves testicular function including sperm count, morphology and motility, and fertility. In animal models, supplementation of Se in the maternal diet during early pregnancy improves fetal substrate supply and alters fetal somatic and organ growth. Supplementation of Se throughout pregnancy in cows and sheep that are receiving an inadequate or excess dietary intake affected maternal whole-body and organ growth and vascular development, and also affected expression of angiogenic factors in maternal and fetal organs. Supplemental Se throughout pregnancy also affected placental growth, which may partly explain its effects on fetal growth and development, and also affected mammary gland development, colostrum yield and composition as well as postnatal development of the offspring. In conclusion, Se supplementation in nutritionally compromised pregnancies can potentially improve fertility and pregnancy outcomes, and thereby improve postnatal growth and development. Future research efforts should examine in more detail and more species the potential benefits of Se supplementation to reproductive processes in mammals.

Maternal Mineral Nutrition Regulates Fetal Genomic Programming in Cattle: A Review

“…Selenium has biological functions via selenoproteins [ 28 , 82 ]. A maternal Se supplementation has effects on reproduction and developmental outcomes, which may be mediated by epigenetic events [ 28 , 83 ].…”

“…Selenium has biological functions via selenoproteins [ 28 , 82 ]. A maternal Se supplementation has effects on reproduction and developmental outcomes, which may be mediated by epigenetic events [ 28 , 83 ]. Selenium deficiency decreases the expression of selenoproteins, such as glutathione peroxidases, including GPx1 , GPx2 , GPx4 , and SELENOP , including Selenoprotein-P, leading to alterations in embryonic development, oxidative stress mechanisms, reproductive development, and male fertility, respectively [ 84 , 85 ].…”

“…Apart from human and laboratory animal model research [ 14 , 15 ], different studies have linked the concept of developmental programming to livestock performance, including cattle [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ], sheep [ 20 , 21 ], and pigs [ 22 , 23 ]. Furthermore, some literature reviews [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ] have pointed out the role of micronutrients in epigenome regulation, which leads to developmental programming. These ideas are the basis of developmental plasticity, defined as fetal adaptations to an altered intrauterine environment at the expense of postnatal developmental prospects [ 29 ].…”

Physiological Benefits of Novel Selenium Delivery via Nanoparticles

“…Numerous studies have documented that maternal dietary intervention with SeNP supplementation affects the growth and fertility performance and antioxidant status of the progeny [ 52 , 107 ]. Compared to sodium selenite and selenium yeast, SeNPs were most effective in enhancing egg production, egg weight, and feed conversion ratio in laying hens, accompanied by significantly increased Se concentration in eggs, GPx1 liver mRNA levels and serum GPx activity, and lower MDA levels [ 66 ].…”

Influence of Maternal Supplementation with Vitamins, Minerals, and (or) Protein/Energy on Placental Development and Angiogenic Factors in Beef Heifers during Pregnancy

“…Intriguingly, high-dose Vitamin D supplementation in pregnant rats also led to reduced placental size and abnormal vascularization [ 23 ]. Moreover, maternal selenium (Se) supplementation during pregnancy has impacted vascular development and the expression of COT angiogenic factors [ 24 ]. Furthermore, the maternal status of vitamins and minerals is proposed to involve several biological and biochemical processes, including placental growth, metabolism, transport, and morphology [ 25 , 26 ].…”