Abstract
Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient that has several important functions in animal and human health. The biological functions of Se are carried out by selenoproteins (encoded by twenty-five genes in human and twenty-four in mice), which are reportedly present in all three domains of life. As a component of selenoproteins, Se has structural and enzymatic functions; in the latter context it is best recognized for its catalytic and antioxidant activities. In this review, we highlight the biological functions of Se and selenoproteins followed by an elaborated review of the relationship between Se and female reproductive function. Data pertaining to Se status and female fertility and reproduction are sparse, with most such studies focusing on the role of Se in pregnancy. Only recently has some light been shed on its potential role in ovarian physiology. The exact underlying molecular and biochemical mechanisms through which Se or selenoproteins modulate female reproduction are largely unknown; their role in human pregnancy and related complications is not yet sufficiently understood. Properly powered, randomized, controlled trials (intervention vs. control) in populations of relatively low Se status will be essential to clarify their role. In the meantime, studies elucidating the potential effect of Se supplementation and selenoproteins (i.e., GPX1, SELENOP, and SELENOS) in ovarian function and overall female reproductive efficiency would be of great value.
Highlights
Selenium (Se) is known as an essential trace mineral that has several important functions at the level of the cell and organism in animal and human health, and it is relevant to various patho-physiological conditions [1]
We provide a comprehensive spotlight on the potential role of Se and selenoproteins in overall reproduction efficiency and many disorders related to both animal and human reproduction
It is obvious from the findings of previous studies that Se and selenoproteins are essential for optimal reproduction in females, presumably because of their implication in the regulation and modulation of antioxidant balance
Summary
Izhar Hyder Qazi 1,2 , Christiana Angel 3,4 , Haoxuan Yang 1 , Bo Pan 1 , Evangelos Zoidis 5 , Chang-Jun Zeng 1 , Hongbing Han 6 and Guang-Bin Zhou 1, *. National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, College of Animal. Received: October 2018; Accepted: November 2018; Published: 22 November 2018
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