Effect of selenium and zinc nanoparticles supplementations on testicular blood flow, semen, and reproductive hormones in Egyptian native goats subjected to ambient heat stress

Abstract

For exploring the protective effects of selenium (SeNPs) and zinc (ZnNP) nanoparticles on testicular blood flow, morphometry, oxidants-antioxidant status, reproductive hormones, and blood biochemicals of goats subjected to heat stress, bucks (n=15) were equally divided into control, ZnNP (50.0 mg/animal), and SeNPs (0.57 mg/animal) groups. Bucks were supplemented daily for seven weeks during summer. The testicular artery diameter, PSV, EDV, TAMV, Mean V, RI, PI, BFV, testicle length, width, height, epididymal length, and width were determined. Blood samples were collected for measuring LH, testosterone and estradiol, zinc, selenium, NO, MDA, SOD, TAC, CAT, total proteins, albumin, AST, and ALT. Results indicated that testicular volume, mediastinum testes, height, epididymal tail length, and width increased (P<0.0001) in animals supplemented with ZnNPs. Testicular (P<0.05) and epididymal tail (P<0.01) width increased during the supplementation. SeNPs and ZnNPs decreased (P<0.0001) the testicular artery diameter and increased PSV (P<0.05), and V Mean (P<0.01). ZnNPs increased TAMV (P<0.05) and BFV (P<0.01). RI (P<0.01), PI (P<0.05), and BFV (P<0.01) decreased after withdrawing supplementation associated with increased (P<0.05) testicular artery diameter. Sperm mass and individual motility, live sperm %, sperm cell concentration, and SPMI Improved (P<0.0001) in ZnNPs and SeNPs groups during and after the supplementation. ZnNPs and SeNPs decreased CAT (P<0.0001) and testosterone with increasing SOD (P<0.05), globulin, and ALT. SeNPs increased (P<0.0001) estradiol and LH. In conclusion, ZnNPs or SeNPs improved the semen parameters during heat stress by modulating testicular blood flow, testicular thermoregulatory mechanism, and antioxidant status, proving nontoxic to the liver and kidneys.