Selenium Compensates the Adverse Effects of Sodium Valproateon Testis Tissue And Spermatogenesis Indexes In Mice

Background: Sodium valproate (VPA) isused worldwide as a major drug for treatment of epilepsy andcauses disorder in the reproductive systemthrough producing free radicals. Selenium as an antioxidant drug can inhibit oxidative stress. The present study was aimed to investigate the antioxidant effect of Selenium on testis tissue and spermatogenesis indexes in mice treated with sodium valproate.Method: In these experimental study, 24 NMRI male mice with average body weight of 36grams were divided into 4 groups (n= 6): Control, sodium valproate(500 mg/kg/day, I.P), sodium valproate +Selenium (0.2 mg/kg/day, I.P) and Selenium.The mice were treated for 14 days then right testis was fixed and used for morphological changes of testis using stereological techniques.The data was statically analyzedby one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test, and means difference was considered significant differenceat p<0.05 Results:A significant reduction in the mean totalvolume of testis, volumeof seminiferous tubules,  mean number of spermatocytes, spermatids, Leydig, spermatogenesis indexes and daily sperm production in the sodium valproate group when compared to control group. The mentioned parameters were increased in thesodium valproate +Selenium group to the control level. Also, spermatogonia and Sertoli cells did not show a significant differencebetween all of different groups.Conclusion: The results of present study showed that selenium as anantioxidant could compensatethe harmful effects of sodium valproate on the spermatogenesis indexes, and testis morphology in mice.

Keywords:

Sodium Valproate , Selenium , Stereology , Testis , Daily Sperm Production , Mice