Zinc, copper and selenium in reproduction

Of the nine biological trace elements, zinc, copper and selenium are important in reproduction in males and females. Zinc content is high in the adult testis, and the prostate has a higher concentration of zinc than any other organ of the body. Zinc deficiency first impairs angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity, and this in turn leads to depletion of testosterone and inhibition of spermatogenesis. Defects in spermatozoa are frequently observed in the zinc-deficient rat. Zinc is thought to help to extend the functional life span of the ejaculated spermatozoa. Zinc deficiency in the female can lead to such problems as impaired synthesis/secretion of (FSH) and (LH), abnormal ovarian development, disruption of the estrous cycle, frequent abortion, a prolonged gestation period, teratogenicity, stillbirths, difficulty in parturition, pre-eclampsia, toxemia and low birth weights of infants. The level of testosterone in the male has been suggested to play a role in the severity of copper deficiency. Copper-deficient female rats are protected against mortality due to copper deficiency, and the protection has been suggested to be provided by estrogens, since estrogens alter the subcellular distribution of copper in the liver and increase plasma copper levels by inducing ceruloplasmin synthesis. The selenium content of male gonads increases during pubertal maturation. Selenium is localized in the mitochondrial capsule protein (MCP) of the midpiece. Maximal incorporation in MCP occurs at steps 7 and 12 of spermatogenesis and uptake decreases by step 15. Selenium deficiency in females results in infertility, abortions and retention of the placenta. The newborns from a selenium-deficient mother suffer from muscular weakness, but the concentration of selenium during pregnancy does not have any effect on the weight of the baby or length of pregnancy. The selenium requirements of a pregnant and lactating mother are increased as a result of selenium transport to the fetus via the placenta and to the infant via breast milk.

Histological and biochemical changes in testis of zinc deficient BALB/c strain of mice

Zinc, protein, cholesterol, phospholipids, alkaline phosphatase (AlPase), acid phosphatase (AcPase), adenosine-5-triphosphatase(ATPase) and histology were studied in testis of zinc-deficient mice. Zinc and protein decreased in the 3-week experiment whereas they increased in the 6-week experiment. Zinc is involved in several functions of the cell and is regulated by hormones. Inhibition of spermatogenesis indicates for decreased zinc levels in 3-week whereas the increase in 6-week experiment indicates for accumulation of zinc in oedomatous fluid and uncontrolled diffusion of zinc across the blood testis barrier. Glycogen decreased in the 3-week as well as 6-week experiments due to blockage of androgen and spermatogenesis. Cholesterol and phospholipids increased in the 3-week experiment and decreased in 6-week experiment as both the parameters are related to steroidogenesis. Zinc deficiency leads to aspermatogenic condition and comparatively less injury to non-germinal cells. This could have blocked the transport of material across the testis barrier and therefore might have increased AlPase levels. Increased AcPase, probably represents lysosomal enzymes, as the cell debris of disorganised epithelium are to be digested and removed. ATPase increased in 3-week experiment and can be correlated to increased demands of energy of testicular cells to overcome the insults of zinc deficiency whereas the decrease in 6-week experiment could be as a result of inhibition of spermatogenesis.