Effect of zinc and selenium supplementation on antioxidative status of seminal plasma and testosterone, T4 and T3 level in goat blood serum

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) on antioxidative status and testosterone, T4 and T3 levels in 12 bucks aged between 2 and 4 years, weighing 25–35 kg. The experimental animals were divided in control and test groups containing six animals each. The animals of the control group were not given any supplementation, whereas test group were given supplementation of Zn and Se in the form of 150-ppm zinc sulphate and 0.50-ppm sodium selenite, respectively, for 105 days. Zn and Se levels in serum and seminal plasma, testosterone, T4 and T3 levels in serum and antioxidative status of seminal plasma were estimated at 0, 60, 75, 90 and 105 days of the experiment. After 60 days of supplementation, concentration of Zn and Se in seminal plasma and serum increased significantly (P<0.05) as compared to control. After 60 days, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), glutathione reductase (GSHR) and catalase (CAT) activity in seminal plasma of test group increased significantly (P<0.05), whereas lipid peroxidation (LPO) decreased significantly (P<0.05) as compared to control. After 60 days, serum testosterone, T4 and T3 concentration in test group increased significantly (P<0.05) as compared to control. It may be concluded that Zn and Se supplementation can improve the antioxidative status and hormone levels by increasing the Zn and Se level in seminal plasma and serum, respectively.