Selenium alleviates oxidative stress and autophagy in lead-treated chicken testes

Lead (Pb) is an environmental pollutant and has toxic effect on birds. Selenium (Se) has alleviative effect on Pb poisoning. This study investigated mitigative effect of Se on autophagy in Pb-treated chicken testes. Seven-day-old male chickens were randomly divided into four groups with 45 birds in each group. The birds of the control group were offered drinking water (DW) and commercial diet (CD) (0.49 mg/kg Se). The birds of the Se group were offered DW and CD containing sodium selenite (SeCD) (1.00 mg/kg Se). The birds of the Pb group were offered DW containing lead acetate (PbDW) (350.00 mg/L Pb) and CD. The birds of the Pb/Se group were offered PbDW and SeCD. On the 30^th, 60^th, and 90^th days, respectively; histology, antioxidant indexes (hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)), mRNA and protein levels of autophagy-related genes (autophagy-related proteins 5, Beclin 1, Dynein, light chain 3 (LC3)-I, LC3-II, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)) were performed in chicken testes. The results of this study showed that Pb caused histological changes; increased H₂O₂ content; decreased CAT, TAOC, and SOD activities and GSH content; and increased mRNA and protein levels of the above autophagy-related genes except that mTOR decreased in chicken testes. Se alleviated the above changes. Se alleviated histological damage, oxidative stress, and autophagy in the Pb-treated chicken testes.