The present study was conducted to evaluate the potential benefit of combined treatment with zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) in reversing cadmium (Cd)-induced testicular pathophysiology compared to Se or Zn treatment alone in rats. For this purpose, male rats received either tap water, Cd, Cd+Zn, Cd+Se or Cd+Zn+Se in their drinking water, for 35 days. Cd exposure caused a significant decrease in plasma and testicular concentrations of Se and Zn which was accompanied by decreased plasma testosterone level, sperm count and motility, enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) as well as by increased lipid peroxidation (as malondialdehyde, MDA). With Se or Zn administration, during exposure to Cd, only partial corrective effects on depletion of testicular and plasma Se and Zn levels, sperm characteristics and oxidative stress have been observed. The combined treatment of Cd-exposed animals with Se and Zn assured a more significant decrease in plasma and testicular Cd concentrations and a more efficient protection against the observed testicular damage as evidenced by the total prevention of both Se and Zn deprivation and by the entire restoration of the sperm motility and the testicular antioxidant status.
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