title: Alleviation of reproductive toxicity of gossypol using selenium supplementation in rams.
abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the reproductive toxicity of gossypol and the possible counteracting effect of selenium supplementation in rams. Twenty-five mature crossbred (Barki × Rahamni) rams were randomly divided into 5 equal groups. The first group served as a control (no gossypol in diet). The second and third groups received diets containing free gossypol of 9 and 14 mg·kg(-1) BW·d(-1)(low level and high level of gossypol), respectively. The fourth and fifth groups received the same diets given to the second and third groups, respectively, with an oral administration of 1 mg selenium (as sodium selenite) daily for each animal. Results showed reductions in ejaculate volume (P = 0.028), percentage of dead sperm (P = 0.003), total functional sperm fraction (P < 0.001), and blood serum concentration of testosterone (P < 0.001) in the presence of both levels of gossypol inclusion. Furthermore, high level of gossypol reduced forward motility (P < 0.001) and semen initial fructose concentration (P = 0.002) and increased abnormal-head sperm (P = 0.003) and blood serum concentration of triiodothyronine (P = 0.006). Regardless of selenium supplementation, increasing level of free gossypol in diet resulted in a significant decrease in the percentage of forward motility (P = 0.037) and significant increases in the mean values of sperm concentration (P < 0.001), total sperm output (P = 0.002), percentage of total abnormal sperm (P = 0.058), and abnormal-head sperm (P = 0.016). On the other hand, regardless of levels of gossypol inclusion, selenium supplementation resulted in significant increases in libido (P < 0.001), mean values of ejaculate volume (P < 0.001), percentage of forward motility (P = 0.019), total sperm output (P < 0.001), total functional sperm fraction (P < 0.001), semen initial fructose concentration (P = 0.031), and blood serum concentrations of both testosterone and triiodothyronine (P < 0.001). In conclusion, free gossypol in diet induced adverse effects on semen quality in rams, but selenium supplementation successfully counteracts most of the hazardous effects of gossypol on semen characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Animal Production Department, Faculty Of Agriculture (El-Shatby), Alexandria University, Alexandria 22545, Egypt.
authors.forename: M Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: El-Mokadem
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Taha
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Samak
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Yassen
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006072:Gossypol / Q000633:toxicity*; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D012643:Selenium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055101:Semen Analysis; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D014284:Triiodothyronine; D012643:Selenium; D006072:Gossypol