Influence of selenium supplementation in non-toxic doses on testis lipid peroxide and antioxidant levels in chronic alcohol-fed rats.

Prolonged consumption of alcohol leads to peroxidative damage in testicular tissues and gonadal dysfunction. Selenium (Se) deficiency also gives rise to testicular structural and functional disturbances similar to those caused by alcohol. We examined the possibility that Se supplementation might, at least partially, prevent the testicular disorders induced by alcohol. Rats were fed alcohol and alcohol with 3 p.p.m. Se in drinking water for 5 months. Ethanol administration decreased vitamin C and glutathione levels in testicular tissue, but caused no alterations in vitamin E and polyunsaturated fatty acid levels. However, lipid peroxide levels were increased by alcohol. Selenium supplementation diminished both the depletion of vitamin C and the production of lipid peroxides, but did not affect the depletion of glutathione induced by alcohol in testicular tissue. In addition, Se supplementation ameliorated the decrement of serum testosterone levels induced by alcohol.