Effects of selenium supplementation on the structure of the tests of adult albino rat subjected to experimentally induced chronic renal failure histological and biochemical study

ABSTRACT

Infertility, decreased libido and potency are frequently observed in male patients with uremia and usually worsen with tune. Selenium deficiency, known to be associated with in ale infertility, is usually encountered in chronic renal failure. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to evaluate the effects of selenium supplementation on the structure of the testis in experimentally induced chronic renal failure. Twenty adult male albino rats were used in this study and were divided into four groups; two of which were subjected to sham operation [groups I, II], the other two were subjected to five-sixths nephrectomy to induce chronic renal failure [groups III, IV]. Groups II and IV were given sodium selenite in a dose of 20 ug/kg BW/ day for 10 weeks. At the end of the 10 weeks period of the experiment, group II revealed decrease in the height of spermatogenic epithelium while sonic seminiferous tubules [SNTs] showed arrest at primary spermatocyte stage. Affection of mitochondrial sheath of middle piece was detected. Group Ill revealed marked depletion of spermatogenic epithelium together with complete destruction of some SNTs. Dilatation of cisternae of sER and vacuolation of mitochondria were also observed in the spermatogenesis cells. Increased number of abnormal forms of the head were detected. Group IV showed improvement of the histological picture of the testis as detected by greater number of normal SNTs as compared to group IlL Biochemical results revealed significant increase in serum creatinine, ca[2+], and leutinizing hormone [LH] level in group III as compared to control group whereas Hb content and testosterone level were significantly decreased. In groups II and IV all parameters showed non-significant changes from the control group except for testosterone level which showed a significant decrease. In conclusion, selenium supplementation in experimentally-induced chronic renal failure could improve both the structure of the testis and the biochemical profile. On the other hand, when given in the sham operated group, selenium proved to decrease n umber of spermatids