Mossa M Morbat
1
, Azzawi M Hadi
2
* and Dekhel H Hadri
3
1
Department of Physiology, Tikrit Medical Collage, Iraq
2
Department of Surgery, Tikrit Medical Collage, Iraq
3
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Tikrit University, Iraq
*Corresponding author: Azzawi M Hadi, Department of surgery, Tikrit Medical Collage, Iraq
Submission: December 10, 2017; Published: March 23, 2018
Effect of Selenium in Treatment of Male Infertility
Introduction
The infertility rates vary between countries and from region to
regions [1]. It is documented that around 15% of married couples
are infertile and that approximately 50% of infertility is due to male
factor [2]. Male infertility is defined as the failure to conceive after
12 months of regular unprotected intercourse [3,4]. Spermatozoa
like all cells living in aerobic conditions, constantly face the oxygen
(O2) paradox: O2 is required to support life, but its metabolites
such as Reactive Oxygen Species ROS can modify cell functions,
endanger cell survival or both [5]. Hence, ROS must be continuously
inactivated to keep only a small amount necessary to maintain
normal cell functions [6]. Malondialdehyde MDA is reactive species
occurs naturally and is a marker for oxidative stress [7]. Glutathione
itself also plays an important role in the protection of cells against
oxidative and electrophilic stress caused by ROS and radiation [8,9].
Zinc salts have been shown to protect against oxidative damage and
glutathione depletion in mice.
Testosterone synthesis is zinc dependent in human. The sperms
take up zinc from fluid after ejaculation, therefore, zinc content of
sperm cell will increase after the exposure to seminal fluid, and it
affected the maturation of spermatozoa [10]. Zinc deficient diet
affect oxidative stress due to decrease in glutathione & increase in
MDA in both semen & serum [11,12]. (Se) is an essential dietary
micronutrient required for maintenance of male fertility. [13] About
20-40% of male infertility is considered to be due to deficient sperm
production to which selenium deficiency has been linked [14].
The biological functions associated with selenium besides male
fertility include prevention of cancer, cardiovascular disease, viral
mutation, endocrine and immune function as well as modulating
inflammatory response [15]. Limited data is available on the effects
of selenium on male reproduction. Hurst et al .reported that fertile
males had significantly higher selenium levels in their seminal fluid
than infertile men. This study shows the importance of selenium
in male reproduction and the probable relationship between male
infertility and selenium [16].
Materials and Methods
A longitudinal study in which samples were obtained from
urology clinic in Tikrit teaching hospital, private clinic, from 1-11-
2009 to 1-9-2010. A questionnaire was prepared to obtain the
information from the infertile men before semen analysis which
include name, age, job, smoking, marriage duration, surgical
Research Article
1/4 Copyright © All rights are reserved by Azzawi M Hadi.
Volume 1 - Issue - 5
Abstract
Infertility is a problem of global proportions. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 8-12% of couples around the world experience
difficulty conceiving a child. Spermatozoa like all cells living in aerobic conditions constantly face the oxygen (O2) paradox. Evidence now suggests that
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)-mediated damage to sperm is a significant contributing pathology in 30–80% of cases.
Materials and methods: A longitudinal study involves 12 infertile men were treated with Selenium capsule 50microgram (one cap.) once daily
at night. The treatments continued for 3months. History and clinical examination with semen analysis, as well as serum and seminal plasma study for
zinc, magnesium, Malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione. FSH, LH, and Testosterone also done. All these studies done both before and after treatment.
Statistical analysis done.
Results and discussion: There is significantly increase in sperm count, motility, viability, normal Sperm morphology, and ejaculate volume of
infertile men compared after treatment with selenium. Serum Mg, Serum FSH, Serum LH, and Serum testosterone, and serum glutathione levels were
significantly increased. Serum MDA significantly decreased in infertile men after treatment with selenium comparing with before treatment. These
results supported by many studies published that explained and conclude the effect of selenium on semen quality.
Conclusion: Selenium can be used as a single agent in treatment of male infertility.
Keywords: Selenium; Male infertility; Semen analysis
Experimental Techniques in
Urology & Nephrology C
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