Selenium protection against testicular lipid peroxidation from cadmium

Both atrophy and hemorrhage were observed in the testis exposed to two acute subcutaneous injections of Cd (0.012 mmol/kg). The hemorrhage was accompanied by the enhancement of lipoperoxide concentration in the testis. These changes were prevented by the simultaneous injection of 0.024 mmol/kg of Se as SeO2, and testicular Zn, Fe, and glutathione levels recovered to the control level. Se stimulated the uptake of Cd to the testis. Se itself did not show any influence on the level of Zn, Fe, and glutathione. Our observations suggest that the preventive effect of Se is an inactivation of Cd in the testis and that testicular Cd concentration alone cannot be used to assess lipid peroxidation. The compounds linked to the glutathione system or related to the membrane integrity may contribute to peroxidation.