Postepy nauk rolniczych - Instytucja Naukowa - Polska Akademia ...

90 Z. Luberda-Bieñkowska, A. MajewskaEffect of selenium and low-molecular weightantioxidants on the semen quality of farm animalsKeywords: animals semen, antioxidant status, selenium, -tocopherol,L-ascorbic acid, glutathioneSummaryThis paper reviews recent results of research regarding the effect of selenium andseveral antioxidants on quality characteristics of farm animal semen. Administrationof selenium with -tocopherol significantly enhances the antioxidant status of semen.-Tocopherol plays a key role in protecting spermatozoa against lipid peroxidation.Selenium has a positive effect on the activity of glutathione peroxidase, which is oneof the antioxidant enzymes occurring in semen. Selenium is essential for normalspermatogenesis. The function of selenium is mediated by selenoproteins, which arestructural component of the sperm midpiece, and are required for normal sperm morphologyand motility. Furthermore, selenium is involved in sperm-egg fertilizationprocesses. The contributions of other antioxidants, such as L-ascorbic acid, andglutathione to the antioxidant defense system of the semen have been also addressed.