Selenium Supplementation Influences Mice Testicular Selenoproteins Driven By Gut Microbiota

Selenium is a well-known essential element with important roles in human reproductive health mainly due to its antioxidant character. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of selenoproteins on the gut microbiota-reproductive health. A new assay for the absolute quantification of selenoproteins in testicular tissue based on two dimensional chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was performed for the first time. Gut microbiota profile was obtained by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Numerous associations were found between testicular selenoproteins and gut microbiota ( e.g. Mucispirillum , related with sperm activity and testosterone, was associated to glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and selenoalbumin (SeAlb), while Escherichia/Shigella , related to sex hormones, correlated with GPx, selenoprotein P (SelP) and SeAlb). The effects of Se-supplementation on testicular selenoproteins only occurs in conventional mice, suggesting a potential selenoproteins-microbiota interplay that underlies in testicular function. The selenoproteins GPx and SelP have been quantified for the first time in testicles, including the novel identification of SeAlb, a protein with nonspecifically incorporated Se. These findings demonstrates the significant impact of Se-supplementation on gut microbiota and reproductive health. In addition, the analytical methodology applied for selenoproteins quantification in testicular tissue opens new possibilities to evaluate their role on the gut microbiota-reproductive health axis.