Selenium supplementation prevents DNA damage in ram spermatozoa

ABSTRACT: In the present study, we aimed to evaluate effects of different concentrations selenium (Se) ovine nutritional supplementation on spermatozoa DNA integrity. Thirty male ovines (age: 10 months) were used. They fed with hay and ram food in an intensive system, which was divided into stalls (5 m long 3 wide) feeding troughs, had ad libitum access water. Ovines group 1 (G1, negative control) received mineral salt without Se; G2 same mixed 5 mg Se (as sodium selenite)/kg supplement;ovines G3 Se/kg supplement; G4 15 G5 20 supplement. all groups remained untreated for 14 days, followed by a treatment period 56 days. Semen samples obtained electroejaculation. The damage semen evaluated using comet assay. experimental design implemented × Latin Square, i.e., five treatments periods. mean differences compared Tukey’s test at significance level 5%. control (G1) showed high percentage Se-treated (G2-G5). Therefore, could decrease basal sperm cells, suggesting that might exert protective DNA.