Effect of Selenium and Electrical Stimulation on Sperm Parameters and Spinal Cord Repair: A Rat Model of Spinal Cord Injury

Background: Selenium (Se) and Electrical stimulation (ES) play an important role in maintaining the integrity of various body functions after spinal cord injury (SCI). Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Se and ES on the sperm parameters and the repair of the damaged spinal cord in a rat model. Methods: A total of 50 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 10 per each group, including control, sham, SCI, Se, and ES. After SCI in the T10 space, the BBB and Von Frey test were used to evaluate the motor and sensory functions. Six weeks after the treatment, the assessment of sperm parameters was done. Results: The treatment with Se, compared to the SCI group, significantly increased the sperm concentration (38.6614.81 vs. 18.50 7.02, P < 0.001), motility (55.003.0 vs. 8.331.16, P < 0.001) and viability (81.668.16 vs. 19.161.06, P < 0.001). ES compared to the SCI group, significantly increased sperm motility (60.00 6.32 vs. 8.33 1.16, P = 0.001) and viability (70.83 9.70 vs. 19.16 1.06, P < 0.001). Se and ES revealed no significant effects on sperm morphology (P > 0.05). A significant increase was observed in the BBB locomotor Score and Von Frey test in the SE and ES groups compared to the SCI group and between the Se and ES groups. However, no significant difference was observed between the Se and ES groups in the Von Frey test. Conclusions: The effect of Selenium on sperm parameters and motor function was superior than that of the Electrical stimulation, but the effective effect on repairing the sensory function was the same.