Specific Effect of Selenium Deficiency on Rat Sperm1

Abstract

Reproductive disorders in Se-deficient male rats from Se-adequate dams are described. After 4, 11 and 12 months on the Se-deficient (<0.02 ppm) diet, small, but sometimes significant, reductions in body and testicular weights were observed. Sperm morphology and motility appeared to be normal after the 4 month interval, but 50% of the animals in the 11 and 12 month interval groups produced sperm with impaired motility and a characteristic midpiece breakage. Because the morphologic anomaly does not appear to be correlated with effects on body and testicular weights, the effect of selenium on sperm is thought to be rather specific. The possible involvement of the Se-dependent enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in maintaining the integrity of the sperm membrane is discussed.