Effect of ascorbic acid and Vitamin E supplementation on semen quality and biochemical parameters of male rabbits

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of supplementation of ascorbic acid, Vitamin E (Vit. E) and their combination in drinking water on sperm characteristics, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and seminal plasma enzymes of mature male rabbits. Twenty-four male New Zealand White rabbits (5 months old) were given drinking water supplemented with ascorbic acid (1.5 g/l), Vit. E (1.0 g/l) and ascorbic acid+Vit. E (1.5+1.0 g/l) for 12 weeks. Vitamin supplementation in drinking water increased feed intake, but body weight gain was not significantly affected. Concentrations of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were significantly (P<0.05) reduced in seminal plasma of treated groups compared with the control. Treatment with ascorbic acid, Vit. E, and their combination significantly (P<0.05) increased lipido (reaction time), ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm output, sperm motility index, total motile sperm, packed sperm volume, initial hydrogen ion concentration (pH), and semen initial fructose concentration. Abnormal and dead sperm were significantly (P<0.05) decreased in treated animals. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were significantly (P<0.05) decreased, whereas glutathione S-transferase (GST) showed a significant increase in seminal plasma of treated animals compared with the controls. The results from this study indicated that supplementation of drinking water with antioxidant ascorbic acid, Vit. E and their combination reduced the production of free radicals and can improve rabbit semen quality, but the greater improvement seemed to be from Vit. E.     

Organic Zn and Cu supplementation imprints on seminal plasma mineral,biochemical/ antioxidant activities and its relationship to spermatozoal characteristics in bucks

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of mineral supplementation on seminal plasma minerals level, biochemical constituents and total antioxidant capacity of Osmanabadi bucks. The study comprised of forty healthy bucks, aged five months were randomly assigned to ten groups (n = 4 per group). The control group was fed with a basal diet without any additional mineral supplementation. In addition to basal diet, treatment bucks were supplemented with three graded doses of organic Zinc (Zn) as 20, 40 and 60 mg/kg dry matter (DM); organic Copper (Cu) as 12.5, 25, 37.5 mg/ kg DM and combination of Zn + Cu as Zn20+Cu12.5, Zn40+Cu25, Zn60+Cu37.5 mg /kg DM basis respectively. Minerals were supplemented for 8 months and the separated seminal plasma used for analysis of minerals, biochemical profile, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and protein carbonylation (PC). In treatment groups, significantly lower LPO and PC were observed, except Zn60 and Zn60+Cu37.5, where higher malondialdehyde (MDA) (P < 0.05) formed. The TAC was relatively higher (P < 0.05) in Zn20, Zn40, Cu12.5 and Zn60+Cu37.5 than control. The minerals and biochemical parameters were significantly altered and positive relationship was observed among them. From this study, it was concluded that supplemented minerals changed the seminal plasma minerals profile (Zn- 7–13; Cu- 0.5–1.9 mg/L), reduced the stress (LPO and PC of control Vs treatment as 0.3 Vs 0.1 nmol/ml and 25.7 Vs 4.3 nmol protein carbonyl/mg protein), which improved the sperm quality in Zn40, all Cu treatments and Zn60+Cu37.5 groups respectively.     

Blood Serum and Seminal Plasma Selenium,Total Antioxidant Capacity and Coenzyme Q10 Levels in Relation to Semen Parameters in Men with Idiopathic Infertility

In this case–control study, we aimed to evaluate the serum and seminal plasma levels of Selenium (Se), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ-10) and determine their relationship with sperm concentration, motility, and morphology in men with idiopathic infertility. A total of 59 subjects were enrolled in the study. Forty four patients were diagnosed with idiopathic male infertility and had abnormal sperm parameters, and 15 subjects had normal sperm parameters with proven fertility. Serum Se, semen Se, and semen TAC levels were significantly different in the fertile and infertile groups (p?<?0.01, p?<?0.001, and p?<?0.001, respectively). However, serum TAC, serum, and seminal plasma CoQ-10 levels did not differ between fertile and infertile groups. When the levels of the measured parameters were compared in serum and seminal plasma, serum levels of Se were found to be correlated positively with the semen levels in all subjects included into the study (N?=?59) (r?=?0.46, p?<?0.01). A relationship was found between neither serum and semen levels of TAC nor between serum and semen levels of CoQ-10. Correlations among measured serum and semen parameters with sperm parameters demonstrated that both the serum and semen levels of Se were correlated positively with spermatozoa concentration, motility, and morphology. Additionally, seminal plasma levels of TAC correlated positively with all these sperm parameters. On the other hand, seminal plasma levels of CoQ-10 correlated only with sperm morphology but not with concentration or motility. No relationship was observed between serum levels of TAC or serum levels of CoQ-10 and sperm parameters. In conclusion, serum and seminal plasma Se deficiency may be a prominent determinant of abnormal sperm parameters and idiopathic male infertility. Measurement of serum Se levels may help determine nutritional status and antioxidant capacity in infertile patients, which may help distinguish those patients who will benefit from supplementation therapy.     

The effects of selenium,vitamin E and their combination on the composition of fatty acids and proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The aim of our studies was to test the effect and role of vitamin E and selenium supplements on yeast cell. In this study, the effects of selenium (Se), vitamin E (Vit. E), and their combination (Se plus Vit. E) on the composition of fatty acids and proteins were examined in Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains WET136 and 522. S. cerevisiae cells were grown up in YEPD medium supplemented with Se, Vit. E or their combination. It was found that the level of stearic acid was increased in all supplemented groups (p<0·05; p<0·001). The content of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids was decreased (p<0·05; p<0·01; p<0·001) in Vit. E and Vit. E plus Se supplemented S. cerevisiae. On the other hand, Se alone caused an increase (p<0·001) in the saturated fatty acids but a decrease (p<0·05; p<0·001) in the unsaturated fatty acids. Total proteins in S. cerevisiae were significantly increased (p<0·001) by Vit. E supplement. There was no significant change observed in S. cerevisiae supplemented with Se. These findings indicate that membrane composition of S. cerevisiae is affected by both Vit. E and Se supplements. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The influence of inclusions of vitamin E and corn oil on semen traits of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Reported was an investigation of the effect of vitamin E (Vit.E) and corn oil on semen traits of male Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). From 8 to 20 wk of age, birds were raised on corn-based diets supplemented with corn oil (0 and 3%) and Vit.E (National Research Council (NRC) recommended 25mg/kg/day/dry matter and 150 mg/kg/day/dry matter) in a 2×2 factorial manner. The diet was supplemented with corn oil and Vit.E (E2C2) which provided additional n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the form of 20:4n-6 and 22:4n-6 in spermatozoa phospholipid. The left testes weights were increased (P<0.01) in groups that received Vit.E in the diet (3.95 and 4.12 g, respectively) (P=0.03) and combined testes weight was the greatest in E2C2 group (7.57g) (P=0.02). Semen volume increased throughout the experiment in the E2C2 group. E2C1 and E2C2 birds had the greatest (90.05% and 92.1%, respectively) live sperm percent by comparison with other groups. The susceptibility of semen to lipid peroxidation in vitro was increased in quail fed E1C1 and E1C2, but was reduced when 150 mg Vit.E kg/day/dry matter feed was provided in the diet. The amount of Vit.E in the seminal plasma of E1C1 and E1C2 groups was (P<0.01) less than that in the other two groups (E2C1 and E2C2). From this study, it may be concluded that increasing diet n-6/n-3 ratio can be beneficial for semen traits, however, this application increased sperm peroxidation sensitivity but it can be controlled by inclusion of antioxidant such as Vit.E (150 mg/kg/day/dry matter) to diet.     

Effect of Vitamin E and selenium supplementation on concentrations of plasma cortisol and erythrocyte lipid peroxides and the incidence of retained fetal membranes in crossbred dairy cattle

The objectives were to: (i) determine the effect of prepartum supplementation of Vitamin E (Vit E) and selenium (Se) on plasma cortisol, erythrocyte peroxidation and the incidence of retained fetal membranes (RFM); (ii) estimate myeloperoxidase (MPO), lysozyme, elastase, and acid phosphatase (ACP) enzyme activities in the cotyledons of cows with or without RFM; and (iii) determine the molecular weight (SDS-PAGE) of proteins present in the cotyledons of cows with or without RFM. Fifty dairy (Friesian x Sahiwal) cows were equally allocated to one of two treatments, given as an im injection 3 week before calving: 1100 IU of DL alpha-tocopherol acetate (Vit E) and 30 mg of sodium selenite (Se), or saline (control). Concentrations of plasma cortisol (20 cows) were determined on days 21, 7, 3, 2, 1, and 0 prepartum, and erythrocyte lipid peroxide (all cows) was determined on days 21 and 7 prepartum. Treatment with Vit E and Se did not affect (P = 0.23) the incidence of RFM (12% versus 0%, respectively) but decreased (P < 0.05) erythrocyte lipid peroxide concentrations on day 7 prepartum compared with day 21 prepartum. Plasma cortisol concentration increased (P < 0.05) from day 21 prepartum to the day of parturition in Vit E+Se and control cows. However, on day 0, plasma cortisol concentrations were lower (P<0.05) in cows given Vit E+Se than in control cows (with or without RFM). To investigate enzyme activity and peptides in cotyledons, cotyledons were collected (from cows that were not part of the principal experiment), homogenised with PBS, and the supernatant used for the estimation of cationic peptides. Cotyledons of cows with RFM (n = 8) had lower (P < 0.01) MPO and greater (P < 0.05) lysozyme and ACP enzyme activities than those from non-RFM cows (n = 6). A band at <10 kDa in the SDS-PAGE indicated the presence of cationic peptides. In conclusion, a single treatment of Vit E and Se at 3-week prepartum reduced concentrations of plasma cortisol and erythrocyte peroxide. Altered enzyme activities in the fetal membranes indicated the involvement of leukocytes and trauma at the fetomaternal junction and warrant further investigation.     

The Effect of Enriched Milk with Selenium and Vitamin E on Growth Rate, Hematology, Some Blood Biochemical Factors, and Immunoglobulins of Newborn Goat Kids

Thirty male and female (n?=?15 for each one) Markhoz newborn goat kids (aged 7?±?3 days) were distributed in a randomized block design in a 2?×?2?+?1 factorial arrangement: two levels of sodium selenite as a source of selenium (0.2 or 0.3 ppm Se), two levels of α-tocopherol acetate as a source of vitamin E (150 or 200 IU Vit E), and one control treatment with six repetitions per treatment (each replicate included three male and three female kids). Animals were fed daily by Se-Vit E-enriched milk (Se-Vit E treatments) or non-enriched milk (control treatment). Growth rate, hematology, and serum biological parameters were measured. The levels of serum albumin (P?<?0.01), serum globulin (P?<?0.05), total serum protein levels (P?<?0.01), erythrocyte counts (RBC) (P?<?0.001), hemoglobin (P?<?0.001), hematocrit (P?<?0.001), leukocyte counts (WBC) (P?<?0.001), IgA (P?<?0.05), IgG (P?<?0.01), and IgM (P?<?0.01) significantly differed among treatments, while no significant differences were observed for calcium, lymphocyte, neutrophil average daily gain and body weight among treatments. Kids feeding by enriched milk with 0.3 ppm Se and 200 IU Vit E had significantly higher serum total protein, globulin, RBC, IgA, IgG, and IgM compared to control and those fed by enriched milk to 0.2 ppm Se and 200 IU Vit E had significantly higher WBC counts.     

Effect of sodium selenite, Se-yeast and nano-elemental selenium on growth performance, Se concentration and antioxidant status in growing male goats

The objective of this experiment was to study the effect of inorganic, organic and elemental nano-selenium on growth performance, Se concentration and antioxidant status in growing male goats. A total of 40 weaned Taihang black goats were randomly divided into four equal groups, given the basal diet either unsupplemented (CTRL only received 0.03 mg/kg Se background) or supplemented with 0.3 mg/kg Se as sodium selenite (SS), Se-yeast (SY) or elemental nano-selenium (NS) for a 90 days experiment (from weaning to maturity). Average initial and finial body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) were recorded. Serum and whole blood were collected for serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) activity and Se content analysis. At the end of the feeding trail five bucks in each group were killed and samples of heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, muscle and testis were collected for Se determination. The result showed that the final BW was increased (P < 0.05) in bucks supplemented with Se compared to the controls, and ADG in NS and SY were greater (P < 0.05) than SS or CTRL bucks. Whole blood, serum and tissue Se concentration, serum antioxidant enzymes activity were also affected by dietary Se supplementation. Serum GSH-Px, SOD and CAT in NS were higher (P < 0.05) than those in SS and SY, and Se retention of whole blood, serum and some organs in NS were also higher than SS or SY (P < 0.05). It could be concluded that supplementation of Se can improve growth performance, serum oxidant status and Se concentration in blood and tissues in growing male goat. The dietary supplementation of elemental nano-Se could be utilized more effectively when compared to inorganic or organic Se.     

Selenium-vitamin E supplementation in infertile men

In order to verify the hypothesis that selenium (Se) and vitamin E (Vit E) could improve male fertility, nine oligoasthenoteratozoospermic men were supplemented for a period of 6 mo with Se and Vit E. Compared to the baseline period (presupplementation) of 4 mo, statistically significant increases were observed for Se and Vit E levels, sperm motility, percent live, and percent normal spermatozoa. These improvements are likely to be “supplementation-dependent,” since all of the parameters returned to baseline values during the posttreatment period. None of the couples reported a pregnancy during the study. The HPLC analysis conducted on the serum of one of the patients showed the existence of at least six different Se-containing peaks, whose Se content was affected by supplementation. The mechanism(s) involved in these improvements of semen parameters is presently under investigation.     

Parameters of dietary selenium and vitamin E deficiency in growing rabbits.

4 x 5 growing female rabbits (New Zealand White) with an initial live weight of 610 +/- 62 g were fed a torula yeast based semisynthetic diet low in selenium (<0.03 mg/kg diet) and containing <2 mg alpha-tocopherol per kg (group I). Group II received a vitamin E supplementation of 150 mg alpha-tocopherylacetate per kg diet, whereas for group III 0.40 mg Se as Na-selenite and for group IV both supplements were added. Selenium status and parameters of tissue damage were analyzed after 10 weeks on experiment (live weight 2,355 +/- 145 g). Selenium depletion of the Se deficient rabbits (groups I and II) was indicated by a significantly lower plasma Se content (group I: 38.3 +/- 6.23 microg Se/mL plasma, group II: 42.6 +/- 9.77, group III: 149 +/- 33.4, group IV: 126 +/- 6.45) and a significantly lower liver Se content (group I: 89.4 +/- 18.2 microg/kg fresh matter, group II: 111 +/- 26.2) as compared to the Se supplemented groups III (983 +/- 204) and IV (926 +/- 73.9). After 5 weeks on the experimental diets differences in the development of plasma glutathione peroxidase were observed. As compared to the initial status group (45.2 +/- 4.50) pGPx activity in mU/mg protein was decreased in group I (19.1 +/- 7.08), remained almost stable in the vitamin E supplemented group II (46.3 +/- 11.2) whereas an elevated enzyme activity was measured in the Se supplemented groups III (62.4 +/- 23.9) and IV (106 +/- 19.9). In the rabbit organs investigated 10 weeks of Se deficiency caused a significant loss of Se dependent cellular glutathione peroxidase activity (GPx1) of 94% (liver), 80% (kidney), 50% (heart muscle) and 60% (musculus longissimus dorsi) in comparison to Se supplemented control animals. Damage of cellular lipids and proteins in the liver was due to either Se or vitamin E deficiency. However damage was most severe under conditions of a combined Se and vitamin E deficiency. It can be concluded that the activity of plasma glutathione peroxidase is a sensitive indicator of Se deficiency in rabbits. The loss of GPx1 activity indicates the selenium depletion in various rabbit organs. Both selenium and vitamin E are essential and highly efficient antioxidants which protect rabbits against lipid and protein oxidation.     

Semen quality, testosterone, seminal plasma biochemical and antioxidant profiles of rabbit bucks fed diets supplemented with different concentrations of soybean lecithin

A total of 28 adult V-line rabbits were fed ad libitum a control diet or a diet supplemented with 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% soybean lecithin (SL) for 12 weeks. Bucks that received 0.5%, 1.0% or 1.5% dietary SL had a higher ejaculate volume, mass motility, sperm concentration, total sperm output and total motile sperm. Dietary SL reduced the percentage of dead sperm and increased the normal sperm, and this concurred with an increase in blood testosterone concentration. Blood and seminal plasma total lipid, acid phosphatase and seminal plasma alkaline phosphatase were significantly increased because of inclusion of SL. Interestingly, SL reduced blood and seminal plasma thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances while increasing blood and seminal plasma glutathione content, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity. Conception rate and litter size at birth and weaning were also significantly improved. Practically, it could be suggested that SL is a suitable supplement for improving semen quality, antioxidant status, reproductive traits and the economic efficiency of V-line rabbit bucks and 1% is an adequate concentration.     

The influence of dietary selenium and vitamin E on glutathione peroxidase and glutathione in the rat

The effect of dietary selenium (Se) and vitamin E supplementation on tissue reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase activity has been studied in the rat. Increasing Se intake by 0.4 ppm gave significantly higher enzyme levels in all tissues studied, an effect not influenced by vitamin E intake. Further increasing Se to 4 ppm gave higher enzyme levels in red blood cells only, while in liver was there was a significant decrease in enzyme activity probably reflecting Se hepatotoxicity. In the absence of Se supplements increasing dietary vitamin E to 100 mg/kg diet significantly increased enzyme activity but this effect was modified by simultaneous Se supplementation.Se intake had no effect on GSH levels. Rats on high vitamin E intake 500 mg/kg had a significantly higher tissue GSH level. Dietary Se had a sparing effect on vitamin E, rats supplemented with Se having significantly raised plasma vitamin E levels.These results confirm the role of selenium in glutathione peroxidase and also show that vitamin E influences the activity of the enzyme.     

Selenoproteins protect against avian nutritional muscular dystrophy by metabolizing peroxides and regulating redox/apoptotic signaling

Nutritional muscular dystrophy (NMD) of chicks is induced by dietary selenium (Se)/vitamin E (Vit. E) deficiencies and may be associated with oxidative cell damage. To reveal the underlying mechanisms related to the presumed oxidative cell damage, we fed four groups of 1-day-old broiler chicks (n = 40/group) with a basal diet (BD; 10 μg Se/kg; no Vit. E added, −Se −Vit. E) or the BD plus all-rac-α-tocopheryl acetate at 50 mg/kg (−Se +Vit. E), Se (as sodium selenite) at 0.3 mg/kg (+Se −Vit. E), or both of these nutrients (+Se +Vit. E) for 6 weeks. High incidences of NMD (93%) and mortality (36%) of the chicks were induced by the BD, starting at week 3. Dietary Se deficiency alone also induced muscle fiber rupture and coagulation necrosis in the pectoral muscle of chicks at week 3 and thereafter, with increased (P < 0.05) malondialdehyde, decreased (P < 0.05) total antioxidant capacity, and diminished (P < 0.05) glutathione peroxidase activities in the muscle. To link these oxidative damages of the muscle cells to the Se-deficiency-induced NMD, we first determined gene expression of the potential 26 selenoproteins in the muscle of the chicks at week 2 before the onset of symptoms. Compared with the +Se chicks, the −Se chicks had lower (P < 0.05) muscle mRNA levels of Gpx1, Gpx3, Gpx4, Sepp1, Selo, Selk, Selu, Selh, Selm, Sepw1, and Sep15. The −Se chicks also had decreased (P < 0.05) production of 6 selenoproteins (long-form selenoprotein P (SelP-L), GPx1, GPx4, Sep15, SelW, and SelN), but increased levels (P < 0.05) of the short-form selenoprotein P in muscle at weeks 2 and 4. Dietary Se deficiency elevated (P < 0.05) muscle p53, cleaved caspase 3, cleaved caspase 9, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), focal adhesion kinase (FAK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), phospho-Akt, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), phospho-p38 MAPK, phospho-JNK, and phospho-ERK and decreased (P < 0.05) muscle procaspase 3, procaspase 9, and NF-κB inhibitor α. In conclusion, the downregulation of SelP-L, GPx1, GPx4, Sep15, SelW, and SelN by dietary Se deficiency might account for induced oxidative stress and the subsequent peroxidative damage of chick muscle cells via the activation of the p53/caspase 9/caspase 3, COX2/FAK/PI3K/Akt/NF-κB, and p38 MAPK/JNK/ERK signaling pathways. Metabolism of peroxides and redox regulation are likely to be the mechanisms whereby these selenoproteins prevented the onset of NMD in chicks.     

Effects of Vitamins, Probiotics, and Protein Level on Semen Traits and Some Seminal Plasma Macro- and Microminerals of Male Broiler Breeders After Zinc-Induced Molting

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of vitamin E, vitamin C, probiotics, dietary protein level, and their combination on semen traits and seminal plasma macro- and microminerals in 65-week-old male broiler breeders after zinc-induced molting. One hundred eighty birds were induced to molt by mixing zinc oxide (3,000 mg/kg) in the diet. The birds were divided into six groups (five replicates) by completely randomized design. One group was kept as control (16% CP), while the other five were supplemented with vitamin E (100 IU/kg feed), vitamin C (500 IU/kg feed) probiotics (50 mg/L), protein level (14% CP), and their combination. Semen samples were weekly collected for determination of semen volume, sperm concentration, motility, and dead sperm percentage. Analyses of Na, K, Ca and Mg, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu in seminal plasma were also performed. Overall, mean semen volume was significantly high in vitamin E and C supplemented groups compared to control. Overall mean sperm motility was significantly higher in vitamin E supplemented group, whereas dead sperm percentage was significantly lower in the vitamin C group compared to control. Mineral analyses revealed that overall mean seminal plasma Mg increased significantly in vitamin E and C supplemented groups compared to control. Similarly, significantly high overall mean seminal plasma Cu concentration was observed in vitamins E and C and combination groups. It can be concluded that vitamins have a vital role in improving semen quality and bioavailability of Mg and Cu in seminal plasma of the post-molt cockerels.     

Effects of dietary selenium and vitamin E concentrations on phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase expression in reproductive tissues of pubertal maturing male rats

Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPX) is the second intracellular selenium (Se)-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) identified in mammals. Our objectives were to determine the effect of dietary vitamin E and Se levels on PHGPX activity expression in testis, epididymis, and seminal vesicles of pubertal maturing rats, and the relationship of PHGPX expression with testicular development and sperm quality. Forty Sprague-Dawley male weanling rats (21-d old), were initially fed for 3 wk a torula yeast basal diet (containing 0.05 mg Se/kg) supplemented with marginal levels of Se (0.1 mg/kg as Na₂SeO₃) and vitamin E (25 IU/kg as all-rac-α-tocopheryl acetate). Then, rats were fed the basal diets supplemented with 0 or 0.2 mg Se/kg and 0 or 100 IU vitamin E/kg diet during the 3-wk period of pubertal maturing. Compared with the Se-supplemented rats, those fed the Se-deficient diets retained 31, 88, 67, and 50% of Se-dependent GSH-Px activities in liver, testis, epididymis, and seminal vesicles, respectively. Testes and seminal vesicles had substantially higher (5-to 20-fold) PHGPX activity than liver. Dietary Se deficiency did not affect PHGPX activities in the reproductive tissues, but reduced PHGPX activity in liver by 28% (P < 0.0001). Dietary vitamin E supplementation did not affect PHGPX activity in liver, whereas it raised PHGPX activity in seminal vesicles by 43% (P < 0.005). Neither dietary vitamin E nor Se levels affected body weight gains, reproductive organ weights, or sperm counts and morphology. In conclusion, expression of PHGPX activity in testis and seminal vesicles was high and regulated by dietary Se and vitamin E differently from that in liver.     

Selenium and Vitamin E Deficiency in Pigs

The effect of selenium (Se) and vitamin E (Vit. E) on reproductive performance, growth and health was studied in pigs. Two levels of Se were used, 0.03 and 0.06 nag per kg feed. The major component of the experimental diets was barley originating from soil which had formerly produced crops with a very low content of Se. Prior to seeding, the area was divided into 2 plots, 1 of which was treated with Se in the form of sodium selenite, 100 g Se per ha. The use of Se enriched fertilizer was an effective way of increasing the Se concentration of the grain. Thus the concentration of Se in the barley produced on the treated area was 5 times higher than in barley from the untreated one. Vit. E was added at a level of 30 i.u. per kg feed, and the concentrations were approx. 15 and 45 i.u. in the basal and experimental diets, respectively. The higher level of Se or Vit. E was not significantly associated with milk yield of the sow, litter size, birth weight or haemoglobin levels. However, there was a tendency to an increase in milk yield of the sows following additions of Se plus Vit. E, and litter size was slightly higher from sows which had received an addition of Vit. E. The concentration of Se and Vit. E was much higher in colostrum than in sow milk, and additions of dietary Se and Vit. E were associated with marked increases in the concentrations of these compounds in both colostrum and sow milk. There was a moderately improving effect of a high Se concentration in feed on growth rate and feed utilization. Low dietary levels of Se and Vit. E were followed by increased mortality rate in piglets; iron toxicity in connection with iron treatment was observed in piglets on low dietary Vit. E. Symptoms characteristic of PSE were not observed in the Se and Vit. E deficient pigs.     

Effect of vitamin E supplementation on post-exercise plasma lipid peroxidation and blood antioxidant status in smokers: with special reference to haemoconcentration effect

The oxidative effects were investigated of exhausting exercise in smokers, and the possible protective role of 400 mg day(-1) vitamin E (Vit E) supplementation over a period of 28 days. The subjects exercised to exhaustion including concentric-eccentric contractions following maximal cycling. The haematocrit and haemoglobin, leucocyte (WBC), plasma lactic acid (La) and malondialdehyde (MDA), erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), serum Vit E and ceruloplasmin (CER) concentrations were measured pre and post exercise. Supplementation increased Vit E concentrations 28% and 31% in the controls and the smokers, respectively. Cigarette smoking and/or Vit E supplementation did not influence plasma lipid peroxidation or the antioxidant status at rest. Exercise caused significant haemoconcentration in all groups. When the post-exercise concentrations were adjusted for haemoconcentration, a significant elevation in La concentrations due to exercise was observed in all groups. Similarly, there were significant elevations in the adjusted WBC counts in all groups except the Vit E supplemented controls. The MDA concentrations on the other hand, when adjusted for haemoconcentration, did not exhibit any difference due to exercise. Exercise did not affect the GPx and CER activities either, while causing a SOD activity loss in all groups except the Vit E supplemented non-smokers. Serum Vit E concentrations diminished significantly in all groups after exercise. Post-exercise plasma MDA and blood antioxidant concentrations were not altered by smoking. The results would suggest that plasma volume changes should always be taken into account when assessing post-exercise plasma concentrations and that smoking and exercise do not have an additional collective effect on plasma lipid peroxidation and the dose of Vit E administered was insufficient to maintain the serum concentrations after exercise.     

Effect of chronic cadmium exposure on antioxidant defense system in some tissues of rats: protective effect of selenium

The effects of selenium (Se) on antioxidant defense system in liver and kidneys of rats with cadmium (Cd)-induced toxicity were examined. Cd exposure (15 mg Cd/kg b.m./day as CdCl(2) for 4 weeks) resulted in increased lipid peroxidation (LP) in both organs (p<0.005 and p<0.01). Vitamin C (Vit C) was decreased in the liver (p<0.005), whereas vitamin E (Vit E) was increased in the liver and kidneys (p<0.005 and p<0.05) of Cd-exposed animals. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were decreased in both tissues (p<0.05 and p<0.005), whereas catalase (CAT) activity was decreased only in liver (p<0.005). Glutathione S-transferase (GST) increased in both tissues (p<0.005 and p<0.01). Treatment with Se (0.5 mg Se/kg b.m./day as Na(2)SeO(3) for 4 weeks) significantly increased liver and kidneys SOD and GSH-Px activities (p<0.05 to p<0.005), as well as CAT and GST activities only in the liver (p<0.01). In animals exposed to Se, both the concentrations of Vit C (p<0.01) and Vit E (p<0.005) were increased in both tissues. Co-treatment with Se resulted in reversal of oxidative stress with significant decline in analyzed tissues Cd burden. Our results show that Se may ameliorate Cd-induced oxidative stress by decreasing LP and altering antioxidant defense system in rat liver and kidneys and that Se demonstrates the protective effect from cadmium-induced oxidative damage.     

沙棘籽油和硒强化沙棘籽油对大鼠红细胞膜结构稳定性的研究

本文通过在普通饲料中追加10％的沙棘籽油或硒强化沙棘籽油来提高食物中V-E或者V-E和硒的水平后,观察了其对正常大鼠红细胞膜结构稳定性的影响。结果表明,沙棘籽油组和硒强化组大鼠红细胞膜上LPO含量明显低于正常对照组(P<0.05),但膜上唾液酸与巯基总量却显著高于对照组。此外,硒强化组动物红细胞内Se-GSH-Px活性明显高于其它两个组。然而,红细胞膜流动性却在三组之间未发现有明显差异。实验提示,沙棘籽油和硒强化沙棘籽油能稳定正常大鼠红细胞膜的结构可能与其抑制膜脂质过氧化作用有关。     

Selenium and Topiramate Attenuates Blood Oxidative Toxicity in Patients with Epilepsy: A Clinical Pilot Study

It is well known that oxidative stress plays an important role in the etiology of epilepsy. We investigated effects of selenium (Se) and topiramate (TPM) combination supplementation on antioxidant and oxidant values in control and patients with epilepsy and refractory epilepsy. For the aim, we used control (n?=?19), epilepsy + TPM (n?=?19), epilepsy + TPM + Se (n?=?15) groups. We also used control (n?=?15), refractory epilepsy (n?=?15), and refractory epilepsy + Se (n?=?8) groups. TPM (0.2 mg/daily) and Se, as sodium selenite (twice daily with 0.1 mg doses), were orally supplemented to the patients for 45 days. Erythrocyte lipid peroxidation levels were higher in refractory epilepsy groups than in control although its level and seizure numbers were decreased in TPM and TPM + Se supplemented groups of the patients. The erythrocyte reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), plasma total antioxidant status (TAS), and vitamin E concentration in refractory epilepsy group were lower than in control. However, the erythrocyte and plasma TAS, erythrocyte GSH and GSH-Px, and plasma vitamins A and C values were increased either by Se or Se + TPM in epilepsy and refractory epilepsy groups. There were no effects of TPM and Se on plasma β-carotene values in the groups. In conclusion, TPM and selenium caused protective effects on the epilepsy and refractory epilepsy-induced oxidative injury by inhibiting free radical production and supporting antioxidant redox system.