Selenium Nanoparticles as Potential Antioxidants to Improve Semen Quality in Boars

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Duroc boars were supplemented by sodium selenite or selenium nanoparticles at the dose of 0.3 mg Se/kg/day for 126 days. Sampling was carried out at days 0, 42, 84 and 126. Sperm qualitative parameters and antioxidant activity were compared with those of the control group (without selenium supplementation). The findings indicate that SeNPs slightly improved GPx activity, and both SeNPs and sodium selenite influenced the antioxidant capacity of semen. This research also showed that both treatments did not affect semen qualitative parameters based on comparisons with the control group. ABSTRACT: Selenium is an essential compound which can influence the fertility of boars by a greater margin. In past decades, research was mainly focused on a bioavailability of various selenium forms and the effect on semen quality. Recently, nanotechnology has expanded the possibilities of selenium supplementation research. Twenty-one Duroc boars (three groups with seven boars each) were included in this experiment with the first group being a control group with no selenium supplementation, and the second group being supplemented with 0.3 mg Se/kg of selenium in inorganic form of Na(2)SeO(3). The third group was supplemented with selenium nanoparticles (100 nm) at the same dose as that of the second group. The experiment lasted for 126 days (three spermatogenesis cycles of boars) and the antioxidant parameters of boar semen were analysed at 42, 84 and 126 days, respectively. The antioxidant parameters (DPPH, FRAP, DMPD, GSH, GSSG) were not influenced by both Se(2)NO(3) and selenium nanoparticle supplementation during this experiment. At the end of the monitored period, significantly higher (p < 0.004) antioxidant readings were observed by using the ABTS method but not the DPPH, DMPD and FRAP methods on the supplemented groups compared to the control. Moreover, selenium-nanoparticle-supplemented groups showed elevated glutathione peroxidase activity in the seminal fluid (p < 0.008). However, the selenium nanoparticle supplementation has not shown an improving effect on sperm quality. This could be considered as a safe alternative to inorganic selenium as well as having a potential to enhance the antioxidant properties of the semen of boars.