Effect of Deficiencies of α-Tocopherol, Retinol and Zinc on the Lipid Composition of Rat Testes

Abstract

To determine whether lipid changes noted previously in α-tocopherol-deficient rat testes were specific for vitamin E, a comparison was made with testes in deficiencies of retinol or zinc. Testicular degeneration was produced in rats fed purified diets deficient in either α-tocopherol, retinol or zinc for 12 to 19 weeks. Total lipid was reduced in testes in all 3 deficiencies with decreased amounts of phospholipid accounting for most of the change. α-Tocopherol-deficient testes had the lowest phospholipid content. The proportion of 20:4 ω6 was twice normal in α-tocopherol-deficient testes, moderately increased in zinc deficiency and unchanged in retinol deficiency; 22:4 ω6 increased only in α-tocopherol deficiency. The proportion of 22:5 ω6 was about two-thirds of normal in retinol and zinc-deficient testes but only one-third normal in α-tocopherol-deficient tissue. Dietary selenium had no effect on testes composition either in the presence or absence of α-tocopherol.