The influence of injectable sodium selenite on semen characteristics and testosterone concentration in Aardi goats

Abstract

The objective of this study was to test the effects of sodium selenite (SS) injection on semen characteristics and testosterone plasma concentrations in male Aardi goats. Fifteen animals were assigned into three groups; control (group I, with no supplemental SS); group II; injected intramuscular with 0.1 mg/kg SS body weight; group III injected 0.05 mg/kg SS body weight. Blood samples were collected once weekly (week 0 and four weeks after treatment) in the morning (at 8 am). Semen was collected by electro-ejaculator on a weekly basis post SS supplementation. Sperm count, motility %, progressive motility characteristic; average path velocity (VAP), straight line velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL), straightness (STR) and linearity (LIN) were analyzed. Significant differences were found between the two treated-groups and control after week four for motility and progressive motility. After five weeks, significant differences were found between groups, for motility and progressive motility. The live % showed significant differences after five weeks between treated and control groups. After five weeks, significant differences were found between the three groups, for motility and progressive motility. The live % showed significant differences after 5 weeks between different treatments. However, VAP, VSL, VCL, STR, and LIN showed non-significant differences, suggesting that bucks might already have a good motility characteristic. No significant effects of SS supplementation on testosterone plasma levels, and the reported values were 1.28; 1.35, and 1.36 ng/ml for control; group 1, and group 2; respectively. In conclusion, SS improved reproduction in goats <italic>via</italic> the enhancement of semen quality in Aardi goats.