Effect of Cd with or without se Supplementation on Spermatogenesis and Semen Quality in the Rooster (Gallus gallus)

In human and animals, it has been reported that Cd was linked with a number of health problems including marked damage of testes and fertility reduction. As for the sensitivity of fowl testes to Cd the results published so far differ from those reported in mammalian species. In this experiment, the effect of Cd with and without Se on spermatogenesis and semen quality in the rooster was studied after dietary Cd uptake. Cadmium (Cd) as Cd chloride (CdCl₂) and Se (Se) as sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) were added to the feed at dosages: group 0 – control, group 1 – 20 mg kg⁻¹ Cd, group 2 – 30 mg kg⁻¹ Cd + 4 mg kg⁻¹ Se. The cocks were exposed to Cd for 8 weeks. The structure of seminiferous tubules and boundary tissue, volume of semen, motility, concentration of spermatozoa and total sperm count were evaluated. In groups with 20 mg kg⁻¹ Cd, the disarrangement of germinal epithelium, diminution of spermiocytes, detachment and presence of developing cells in the lumen of seminiferous tubules was observed. Analysis of the semen showed a significant decrease of volume of semen, the total sperm count and motility of spermatozoa (P < 0.05). In the group with 30 mg kg⁻¹ Cd and Se supplementation, seminiferous tubules displayed all the developing spermatogenic cells. Local disarrangement and accumulation of germ cells in the luminal space was observed. In semen, a significant increase of volume of semen, motility and total sperm count (P < 0.05) was observed. A beneficial effect of Se on the development of spermatogenic cells and on semen quality was observed.