Effect of Vitamin E and Selenium Injections on the Testes and Accessory Sex Glands of Barki Rams During Non-Breeding Season

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of the combination of vitamin E and selenium injection on ram reproductive efficiency. Eight mature healthy Barki Egyptian rams were injected twice/ weekly with 5 mg Sodium selenite and 450 mg vit E for one month. Ultrasound measurements of the scrotal contents and all accessory sex gland and collection of blood samples were done one week before the start of the experiment and one week after the end of experiment. Results revealed that scrotal circumference was increased significantly after treatment.The breadth of testes, epididymal tail length and breadth were increased significantly after treatment. There were significant differences in measurements of length and breadth of accessory genital glands (vesicular gland and bulbourethral gland). In addition, the breadth of ampullae and pars disseminata of prostate gland was increased significantly after treatment. Treated rams showed higher values for serum testosterone, in contrast FSH was decreased significantly. While, there was no significant difference in LH level. Our data suggest that injections combination of vit E and selenium during the non-breeding season could enhance testosterone concentrations, thereby improve reproductive efficiency of Barki rams.