Application of Selenium Nanoparticles on Sperm Quantity Indicators in Wistar Rat

Abstract

Background: Antioxidant enzymes and selenium in semen plasma have vital effects on reducing lipid peroxidation of spermatozoid membrane in elderly organisms by preventing the destructive effects of reactive oxygen species. Therefore, the use of antioxidants and selenium is essential for normal testicular function and spermatogenesis. Methods: In this experimental study, 44 male Wistar rats aged 2.5 months (young) and 44 male Winstar rats aged 11 months (old) were separated into 4 groups of control, placebo, experimental 1 (0.2 mg/kg BW), and experimental 2 (0.4 mg/kg BW). Rats encountered weekly surgery after a week of receiving different treatments. Resection of their testes was used for histological studies. Results: The number of spermatocytes, spermatid, and spermatozoa in young and old rats increased during the study period. In young rats, the highest number of these cells remarked in the third and fourth weeks of the experiment using selenium nanoparticles (ranged from 165.3 to 285.3 × 106). For old rates, the highest number of the abovementioned cells observed in the second week of the experiment (ranged from 143.3 to 146.7 × 106). Variables of treatment, week, and age presented significant effects on the number of testicular germ cells. Also, applied treatments had no significant effect on the sperm quality characteristics of rats. The number of Sertoli and Leydig cells did not show a significant difference compared to the control group. The results showed a positive and highly significant correlation between spermatozoid, spermatocytes, and spermatocytes. The findings also indicated the same genetic and environmental effects on the traits. Therefore, any spermatocyte shift will have a direct influence on the spermatozoid. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that using selenium nanoparticles in young and old age groups in rats could improve testicular germ cells, especially in the old group. Therefore, with growing age and decreasing sperm quality, selenium nanoparticles can be used due to their positive effect on sperm parameters and their low health risk.