Effect of Astaxanthin, Selenium and Electrical stimulation on expression of CatSper 1, 2 genes and proteins, sperm parameters and spinal cord repair in Rat’s spinal cord injury model

Background and Aim : Spinal cord injury often occurs in young men at the height of their reproductive health. Sperm ion channels play an important role in maintaining sperm physiology, motility and fertility. CatSper1,2 are a unique family of sperm cation channels, and play an important role in sperm motility and male fertility. The aim of this study was compares and evaluates the effects of selenium, astaxanthin and electrical stimulation on the expression of CatSper 1 , 2 genes and proteins in SCI rat model.Methods : This study was an experimental study, performed on 60 male wistar rats.The first group was the control group who did not receive any intervention. The second group was the sham group who underwent laminectomy only. The third group was the spinal cord injury group, The fourth group consisted of astaxanthin-treated spinal cord injury, the fifth group received selenium-treated spinal cord injury, and the sixth group of spinal cord injury group was treated with electrical stimulation. Motor assessment (BBB) and sensory testing (Von Frey) were used to assess spinal cord repair. Sperm samples were examined for sperm parameters and expression levels of Catsper1 ,2 genes and proteins. All data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests to compare multiple groups. Repeated measure ANOVA was used to compare within groups. P value <0.05 was considered significant.Results : The relative intensity of CatSper 1,2 genes and proteins expression was significantly higher in the selenium-fed group than in the astaxanthin and electrical stimulation groups. Electrical stimulation had no effect on the expression of CatSper1,2 genes and proteins. Sperm parameters were improved in selenium group more than the astaxanthin and electrical stimulation group. There was a significant increase in BBB test scores, and a significant decrease in Von-Fery test scores in the intervention group with selenium compared to astaxanthin, and in the astaxanthin group compared to the electrical stimulation group. (p <0.001). The effect of electrical stimulation on motor test scores was more than sensory testing.Conclusion : Given the superiority of selenium over astaxanthin and electrical stimulation in the expression of CatSper 1,2 genes and proteins, improvement of sperm parameters and spinal cord repair, it seems that the results of this study lead to identify selenium as an alternative method to help to reduce men s fertility disorders.

Keywords:

astaxanthin , selenium , electrical stimulation , Catsper1 , 2 , sperm parameters , spinal cord repair