Structural Changes of the Testis and Changes in Semen Quality Parameters Caused by Intraperitoneal and Peroral Administration of Selenium in Rats

• Main Authors: Michal Cabaj, Róbert Toman, Mária Adamkovičová, Peter Massányi, Svätoslav Hluchý, Norbert Lukáč, Jozef Golian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Agroprint Timisoara 2012-05-01
• Series: Scientific Papers Animal Science and Biotechnologies
• Subjects: casa; histology; morphometry; rat; selenium; sperm; testis
• Online Access: http://spasb.ro/index.php/spasb/article/view/455
• ISSN: 1841-9364; 2344-4576

The aim of this study was to find the structural changes in the testis and semen quality parameters of rat after a singleintraperitoneal and repeated peroral selenium administration. Rats were killed 36 hours following the intraperitonealadministration of selenium selenite (2 mg.kg-1 b.w.; 98% purity) and after 90 days of the peroral repeatedadministration of selenium in drinking water (5 mg.l-1). Testis samples were evaluated by histological andmorphometrical methods in light microscopy. Evaluation of semen samples were examined with CASA method. 36hours after the selenium i.p. administration, damage of cellular associations, release of necrotised epithelial cells totubule lumen and fibrotisation and extension of interstitium were observed. Morphometry methods have shown thereduction of seminiferous epithelium volume (P<0.001), extension of interstitium (P<0.001) and increased area ofintraepithelial spaces (P<0.01). In p.o. group similar but more intense changes were noted; in addition, occasionalldegeneration of seminiferous tubuli and rarely total damage in histoarchitecture of seminiferous epithelium wereobserved. CASA analysis revealed significant decrease in all parameters except the concentration of spermatozoa.Additionally, we suppose that p.o. dose 5 mg.l-1 sodium selenite in drinking water is minimum lethal dose level foryoung rats. Selenium after i.p. and p.o. administration causes damage of seminiferous epithelium and interstitium. Itleads to changes in relative proportion of functional tissues of the testis. Reduced spermatogenesis and harmfuleffects in semen parameters are characteristic especially for peroral repeated (subchronic) administration. Thesechanges are time- and dose-dependent. In both dosage methods subfertility or infertility can appear.