Effect of selenium supplementation on attainment of puberty in Saanen male goat kids.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect on selenium supplementation on attainment of puberty in Saanen male goat kids. Forty Saanen male goats kids were divided into two groups: selenium supplemented (n = 20) and control (n = 20). The treatment group received sodium selenite at a ninety days interval for an experimental period of 150 days. All experimental Saanen male goat kids were fed Lucerne hay deficient in selenium. The development of the reproductive functions of the male goat kids was monitored until puberty. At the age of 5.5 months motile spermatozoa were collected from 65% of the supplemented group compared to 35% of the control. At 140 days following supplementation the treated group showed significantly higher semen volume per ejaculate and improved semen quality in the form of improved spermatozoa motility and concentration and a decreased percentage of dead spermatozoa, spermatozoa abnormalities and acrosome damage compared to the control. Supplementation with selenium significantly (P < 0.05) improved body weight, testicular measurements and decreased age at puberty. Selenium supplementation also led to higher (P < 0.05) LH and testosterone concentrations. It is concluded that selenium supplementation hastened age at attainment of puberty to 5.5 months in male Saanen kids as the control group attained puberty at 6 months. It also improved semen quality and reproductive hormones concentration of Saanen kids.