{"id":410819,"date":"2021-11-23T10:08:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-23T09:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phileo-lesaffre.com\/?p=410819"},"modified":"2022-02-09T11:46:54","modified_gmt":"2022-02-09T10:46:54","slug":"breeding-horses-how-selsaf-contributes-to-good-fertility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phileo-lesaffre.com\/en\/breeding-horses-how-selsaf-contributes-to-good-fertility\/","title":{"rendered":"Breeding horses: how Selsaf\u00ae<\/sup> contributes to good fertility"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1623762190118{padding-bottom: 35px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column][vc_column_text]\"BreedingThe effect of selenium on reproductive functions has been little studied in both males and females. Nevertheless, selenium is known to be involved in several pregnancy-related complications, such as preeclampsia, autoimmune thyroid disease, miscarriage, and premature birth in humans. Veterinary medicine,\u00a0meanwhile, associates selenium deficiency with the impairment of fertilisation, mastitis-metritis-agalactica\u00a0in swine, retained placenta, embryonic mortality, and cystic ovaries. Supplementing a mare\u2019s daily diet with\u00a0adequate quantities of selenium is usually advised. This result in an increase in fertility which is undoubtedly due to a decrease in embryonic mortalities during the first month of gestation. In addition, recent studies have shown that selenium and selenoproteins may also play a role in oocyte development and ovarian physiology (Qazi & al., 2018).[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent”][vc_column_text]Selenium and selenoproteins appear to improve oxidative and nitrosative stress in relation to assisted reproductive technologies, such as FIV in humans or embryo transfer in veterinary medicine. However, their role in relation to females remains unclear (Qazi & al., 2018). This is a limiting point, given the importance of assisted techniques in equine reproduction. Fortunately, the effect of selenium on the reproductive function of stallions is better understood.[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Breeding practices increase oxidative stress and have a detrimental impact on equine fertility.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In stallions, the main feature of sperm cells is their high level of membrane lipids. Seen as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), lipids give the membrane its high level of fluidity and elasticity, factors which are both necessary for sperm motility and fusion with oocytes. However, this characteristic has a downside: it makes them particularly vulnerable to oxidation.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]Stallion spermatozoa are \u201cactive producers\u201d of reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to their intense mitochondrial activity. Although they are necessary for many essential aspects of spermatozoa functionality, ROS attack cell membranes by causing lipid peroxidation. Excessive release of ROS triggers oxidative stress, leading to a loss of membrane fluidity and integrity. This loss reduces the ability of sperm to accomplish fertilisation (Pe\u00f1a & al., 2019).<\/p>\n

In equine reproduction, breeding practices tend to increase the negative effect of oxidative stress on stallion fertility.<\/p>\n

With the exception of racing thoroughbreds, whose careers are relatively short, sports horses are used for breeding quite late in life<\/strong>, once they have proved their sporting potential. Unfortunately, the ageing process increases levels of lipid peroxidation. In addition, due to oxidative stress, the quality of the sperm plasma membrane is negatively affected, influencing stallion fertility.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”410825″ img_size=”full” onclick=”link_image” qode_css_animation=””][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_separator type=”transparent”][vc_column_text]Furthermore, artificial insemination with frozen semen, as is mainly used with sports horses, requires the implementation of cryopreservation methods. This increases the effect of oxidative stress on the sperm. The detrimental effect of cryopreservation, which increases lipid peroxidation after freezing and thawing, is linked to an excessive production of ROS. Subsequent oxidation leads to an overall reduction in sperm quality and fertilisation rates. (Qazi & al., 2019).[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

In males, increased selenium supply is linked with improved sperm quality and fertility.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

Selenium is an essential component of selenoproteins, a large number of which have antioxidant properties. The best known selenoprotein is Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), a potent antioxidant which reduces lipid peroxidation. It may also be viewed as a storage reservoir for Se in cells.[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent”][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]A drop in selenium levels has been observed in tests on mice which were fed a selenium-deficient diet. The recorded decrease in selenium was accompanied by a reduction in GPx activity and an increase in lipid peroxidation. In contrast, an increase in Se in the diet resulted in enhanced antioxidant glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, thereby improving male fertility. From these, and other similar studies, it appears obvious that selenium is essential to aid spermatogenesis and male fertility. This is presumably because of the vital role of Se in the modulation of antioxidant defence mechanisms and other essential biological pathways (Qazi & al., 2019).[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”410830″ img_size=”full” onclick=”link_image” qode_css_animation=””][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_separator type=”transparent”][vc_column_text]In horses more specifically, semen selenium levels have been found to influence fertility markers, such as sperm quality and pregnancy rate per oestrus cycle. Adequate selenium content is thus seen as a necessary condition for good sperm quality and fertility in stallions (Bertelsmann & al., 2010).[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Using Selsaf\u00ae<\/sup> – a highly bioavailable organic source of selenium – to reduce oxidative damage in stallion semen and to protect embryo and foetus development during pregnancy.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

Selsaf\u00ae<\/sup><\/a> <\/strong>is an approved additive for use with all animal species (FEEDAP, 2020). Produced from the cultivation of a proprietary Saccharomyces cerevisiae<\/em> (CNCM I-3399) strain, on a medium enriched with Selenium, Selsaf\u00ae<\/sup><\/a><\/strong> contains both Selenocysteine and Selenomethionine, two major biologically active seleno-organic compounds. Thanks to a reliable and standardised production process, the concentration in organic Se is high, while the profile of Selsaf\u00ae<\/sup><\/a><\/strong>\u2019s active seleno-compounds is stable and consistent.[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent”][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]Once ingested, Selsaf\u00ae<\/sup> compounds are actively absorbed into the small intestine by transporter systems. Their absorption is much more efficient than that for sodium selenite, which is transported passively. Due to its composition, Selsaf\u00ae<\/sup> can be compared to a twostage rocket:<\/p>\n