Effect of Selenium and Electrical Stimulation on the Expression of Cation Channel Spermia 1 and 2 Genes in Spinal Cord Injury Rat Model

Introduction Spermatogenesis is known as a procedure by which “spermatogonial cells” are converted into adult “spermatozoa” (sperm), and male fertility needs to be performed delicately. The spermatogenesis regulation relies on the “hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad” axis which is firmly arranged by the feedback control of the activity of the testis (1). Previous research has suggested that sperm count, motility, and morphology need to be assessed to determine the fertility power of the sperm (2). Sperm ion channels have a significant function in fertilizing ability (3). In addition, asymmetric sperm motility requires the entry of Ca2+ into the spermatozoa (4). The Cation Channel Spermia (CatSper) are the most widely studied Ca2+ ion channel proteins in mammalian sperms (5). The CatSper channel has a heterotetrameric structure which is combined of four pore-forming α subunits (CatSpers 1–4) and supplementary auxiliary subunits viz such as “CatSper β, CatSper γ, and CatSper δ”. The lack of a single subunit may lead to the degradation of the remaining CatSper proteins (6). Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes a significant decline in all parameters of the sperm and the expressions of CatSpers 1 and 2 (4). Some researchers believe that a reduction in the percentage of the motile sperm may be due to the defective transcription of some gene-encoding proteins intricate in the motility of the sperm and other functions. A small part of the motion may consist of heterogeneous subunits in which various genes are not transcribed. Another statement for the differential dispensation of mRNAs between the high and low motility of the sperm might lie in the translation occurring in the sperm. There are some mechanisms related to enhancement in the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an effect on the DNA of the sperm (7). Antioxidant enzymes have an important function in declining ROS levels. (8). Selenium (Se) is the specific function of selenoproteins in modulating the immune receptor of signaling pathways along with the Ca2+ release, oxidative cascades, and other cellular activities Abstract Objectives: Cation Channel Spermia (CatSper) 1-4 are considered as a unique family of “sperm cation channels” and play an important role in the motility of the sperm and male fertility. The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate the effects of selenium (Se) and electrical stimulation (Es) on the expression of CatSper 1 and 2 genes in the spinal cord injury (SCI) rat model. Materials and Methods: The present experimental study was performed on 50 male Wistar rats. The animals were randomly divided into 5 groups of 10 which experienced SCI using an SCI impactor device. Forty-eight hours after injury, the Se group received Se for 6 consecutive days for 6 weeks, and Es was performed for 1 hour per day for 6 consecutive days during 6 weeks in the Es group. Finally, the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed for the expression of CatSper 1 and 2 genes, followed by using one-way ANOVA for the analysis of gene expression data. The results were considered statistically significant when P < 0.05. Results: Se treatment showed an increase in the relative expression of CatSper 1 and 2 genes compared to the control group, but this increase was higher for CatSper 2. Eventually, Es did not affect the relative intensity of CatSper 1 and 2 gene expression after SCI. Conclusions: Se, more than Es, could increase the relative intensity of CatSper1 and 2 expressions, and this increase was higher in CatSper2.