OBJECTIVES

Selenium (Se) is an essential important micronutrient for human especially for women. Recently some studies have shown its potential role in ovarian physiology. Therefore, we investigated the possible association between estrogen (E₂) level with women who lived in areas with high selenium and with normal selenium in Shaanxi province.

METHODS

Ziyang County of Ankang City has higher environmental selenium level, while the Xi’an city has lower environmental selenium level but still normal. Women volunteers from different environmental selenium level area were divided into two groups: “High Se group” (n=50) and “Control group” (n=50). All women were among 20 to 38 years old. The level of E₂ from different group was tested by ELISA kit. The selenium level in hair was tested by using Atomic Fluorescence Spectrophotometer.

RESULTS

The E₂ was significantly lower in “Control group” than that in “High Se group” (120.22±10.95, 60.57±3.28 pg/ml, respectively). The mean for total Se concentration in hair was different: 3.82±0.26 μg/g in “High Se group”, and 0.72±0.16 μg/g in “Control group”, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The E₂ level in women who lived in high selenium area was higher than that in control group women. We infer that Se may have protective effect through increasing the E₂ level. Women lived in high selenium area may have stronger ovarian protection than women lived in normal selenium area. This research was supported by National Natural Science Foundation (No. 81673115), Huimin projects of Ministry of Science and Technology (No. 2012GS610101) and Science and technology projects of Shaanxi province health department (No. 2018D050).