[Selenium correction of male subfertility]

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Environmental Health
• Nutritional Biochemistry

Background:

• Male subfertility affects a significant portion of the population.
• Environmental factors, such as hydrogen sulfide exposure, may negatively impact male reproductive health.
• Selenium is an essential trace element with known antioxidant properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of selenium supplementation in improving semen quality and fertility markers in subfertile men.
• To compare the response to selenium treatment in subfertile men with different environmental exposures.
• To explore the potential of selenium for correcting specific forms of male subfertility.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving three groups of men: subfertile in a healthy environment, subfertile exposed to hydrogen sulfide, and fertile controls.
• Administration of selenium (3.5 microg/kg/day for 30 days) in three courses to subfertile groups.
• Assessment of ejaculate fertility via spermogram, enzyme activity (alpha-amylase, lactate dehydrogenase), and concentrations of prostatic acid phosphatase, sperm-specific inhibitor of trypsin, and prostate-specific antigen before and after treatment.

Main Results:

• Selenium supplementation demonstrated effectiveness in improving fertility parameters in subfertile men.
• A significantly higher response to selenium treatment was observed in the group exposed to hydrogen sulfide compared to the group in a healthy environment.
• Biochemical markers of fertility showed improvement following selenium administration.

Conclusions:

• Selenium is effective in correcting certain forms of male subfertility.
• Environmental factors, like hydrogen sulfide exposure, may influence the efficacy of selenium supplementation.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms behind the differential response to selenium in subfertile men.