Selenium Improves Arsenic-Induced Male Reproductive Dysfunction by Regulating H3K14ac Level

Area of Science:

• Environmental Toxicology
• Reproductive Biology
• Epigenetics

Background:

• Arsenic exposure is linked to male reproductive damage.
• Understanding arsenic's reproductive toxicity and effective antidotes is crucial.
• Selenium (Se) is vital for male reproduction and can mitigate environmental toxin effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if selenium can antagonize arsenic-induced male reproductive toxicity.
• To explore the role of the H3K14ac pathway in selenium's protective effects.
• To determine the appropriate dosage of selenium for mitigating arsenic toxicity.

Main Methods:

• Rats were exposed to arsenic and treated with varying doses of selenium.
• Measurements included arsenic levels in testes, sperm quality, testosterone levels, and steroidogenic gene expression.
• Analysis of H3K14ac levels and associated enzymes (KAT2A, BAZ2A, HDAC6) was performed.

Main Results:

• Selenium intervention reduced arsenic accumulation in rat testes, likely by enhancing excretion.
• Selenium improved testicular injury, sperm quality, and testosterone levels in arsenic-exposed rats.
• Selenium normalized H3K14ac levels and the expression of KAT2A, BAZ2A, and HDAC6.

Conclusions:

• Selenium effectively mitigates arsenic-induced male reproductive toxicity.
• The protective mechanism involves regulating the H3K14ac pathway and enhancing antioxidative capacity.
• The optimal dose of selenium for mitigating arsenic's male reproductive toxicity is 1 mg/kg.