Sodium Selenite Improves Folliculogenesis in Radiation-Induced Ovarian Failure: A Mechanistic Approach

Abstract

Radiotherapy is a major factor contributing to female infertility by inducing premature ovarian failure (POF). Therefore, the need for an effective radioprotective agent is evident. The present study investigated the mechanism of potential radioprotective effect of sodium selenite on radiation-induced ovarian failure and whether sodium selenite can stimulate in-vivo follicular development in experimental rats. Immature female Sprague-Dawely rats were either exposed to gamma-radiation (3.2 Gy, LD20), once and/or treated with sodium selenite (0.5 mg/kg), once daily for one week before irradiation. Follicular and oocyte development, apoptotic markers, proliferation marker as well as oxidative stress markers were assessed 24-h after irradiation. In addition, fertility assessment was performed after female rats became completely mature at two months of age. Sodium selenite significantly enhanced follicular development as compared to the irradiated group. Sodium selenite significantly reversed the oxidative stress effects of radiation that was evidenced by increasing in lipid peroxide level and decreasing in glutathione level, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. Assessment of apoptosis and cell proliferation markers revealed that caspase 3 and cytochrome c expressions markedly-increased, whereas, PCNA expression markedly-decreased in the irradiated group; in contrast, sodium selenite treatment prevented these alterations. Histopathological examination further confirmed the radioprotective efficacy of sodium selenite and its in-vivo effect on ovarian follicles’ maturation. In conclusion, sodium selenite showed a radioprotective effect and improved folliculogenesis through increasing ovarian granulosa cells proliferation, estradiol and FSH secretion, and GPx activity, whilst decreasing lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress, leading to inhibition of the apoptosis pathway through decreasing the expressions of caspase 3 and cytochrome c.

Quantitative variations in ovarian follicles of female Sprague Dawley rats after exposure to low dose gamma radiation

“…Present results indicated that oocytes contained in primordial follicles were particularly sensitive to ionizing radiation, whereas growing oocytes were comparatively radio resistant. These findings are in agreement with Said et al (2012) who found that irradiation induce almost complete deletion of the primordial follicle pool within a time period of 24-hrs in contrast to the other growing antral follicles.…”

Protecting Role of Selenium on the Cytotoxic Effect of Profenofos on Rabbit Fertility

“…Protective effect of Se may improve pregnancy rates and reached to 100%. These studies have confirmed a link between antioxidant-poor diet and pregnancy loss (Said et al, 2012).…”

“…+ Sodium Selenite 0.50 mg/kg b.w. (Said et al, 2012). At the end of experiment, animals were sacrificed and tissues (testis, epididymis, uterus, ovary, liver and kidney) were taken for histopathological, histochemical and immunopathological examinations.…”

The Potential Therapeutic Effect of Ferulic Acid in Mitigating Oxidative Stress Induced by γ-Irradiation in Male Rats

“…Many studies demonstrated that, the damaging properties of γ-radiation within biological systems are intermediated by the production of ROS in cells after water radiolysis (Kamat et al, 2000 andSaid et al, 2012). The generated ROS destroy important biological molecules for instance nucleic acid, proteins, lipids as well as cell membranes (Maurya and Devasagayam, 2013).…”

“…Radiotherapy (RT) is considered as a curative medical intervention, depends on the generation and uses of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to eradicate tumours but non-target tissues are also damaged (Said et al, 2012). RT is a major factor contributing to male infertility by destroying the process of spermatogenesis (Ahmed and Tawfik, 2012).…”