selenium

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of selenium nanoparticles (SeNP) and selenium yeast (SY) on ruminal protozoan population and ammonia nitrogen of Baluchi male lambs. Thirty Baluchi lambs with an average initial body weight of 21.56±0.33 kg were used in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments and 6 repetitions for 70 days (14 days of adaptation and 56 days of data collection). The experimental groups were 1) control (without selenium supplement), 2), 3) and 4) were feeding with 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 mg Se/kg of diet as SY respectively, and 5) feeding with 0.4 mg Se/kg of diet as SeNP. The results showed that the number of protozoa in the ruminal fluid of lambs receiving 0.8 and 1.2 mg of Se/kg of diet as SY and 0.4 mg of Se/kg of diet as SeNP was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). In addition, both SY and SeNP sources significantly increased the number of Ophryoscolex species, while 0.4 mg of Se as SeNP resulted in a significant increase in Dasytricha species (P<0.05). Furthermore, dietary supplementation of 0.8 mg of Se as SY and 0.4 mg of Se as SeNP increased the number of Diplodinium species (P<0.05). However, the populations of Entodinium and Isotricha species were not affected by the experimental treatments. Feeding with 0.8 and 1.2 mg of Se as SY/kg of diet and 0.4 mg of Se as SeNP/kg of diet led to decreased ruminal ammonia nitrogen quantity (P<0.05). The results of this research indicated that dietary selenium supplementation as Nano selenium and selenium yeast, can increase the protozoa population and decrease the concentration of ammonia nitrogen in the ruminal fluid of Baluchi fattening lambs.

Selenium is an essential element in dairy cattle, particulrarly for reproduction. The present study was conducted in order to determine the amount of selenium in the blood of different groups of cattle in Isfahan province industrial cattle farms and also the effect of season (summer and winter) on its concentration in the form of a randomized complete block design. The present study was investigated the blood selenium level in dairy cattle in Isfahan province. Also, the effect of season (summer and winter) on selenium values was studied. This experiment was carried out in a complete block randomized design for 553 cows in 17 farms from different regions of the Isfahan province. Acordingly, 553 cows were selected from 17 industrial cattle breeding units in different geographical parts of the province. The population of cows in each cattle farm wasere divided into five groups which included high producing cows (n=154), fresh cows (n=118), dry and pregnant heifers (n=121), non-pregnant heifers (n=81) and calves. Blood selenium concentration was indirectly assessed determined through the measurement of glutathione peroxidase activity by Alpha Classic Auto Analyzer. According to the results, the mean whole blood selenium concentration mean for high producing cows, fresh cows, dry and pregnant heifers, non-pregnant heifers and calves were measured at 0.21, 0.18, 0.24, 0.24, 0.21 mg/L, respectively. Dry and pregnant heifers and non-pregnant heifers with higher selenium concentration showed significant differences compared to other groups (P<0.05). The lowest selenium concentration was significantly observed for fresh cows (P<0.05). No significant differences were found among different groups of dairy cows in terms of peroxidase enzyme activity for glutathione peroxidase activity. The mean blood selenium concentrations in summer and winter with no significant differences were at 0.21± 0.08  (n=129) and 0.20±0.06  (n=174) mg/L, respectively which showed no significant effect of season on blood selenium level. Also, the comparison of the same group in different farms showed significant difference in terms of blood selenium levels s between them (P<0.05).Therefore, it is recommended to check the blood selenium level of dairy cattle and then ,use a selenium supplement under supervision of animal nutritionists.

The appropriate effects of supplementation with minerals and vitamins on reproductive performance have been well studied before. The object of this study was to determine the effect of prepartum supplementation with vitamin E and selenium on milk yield and reproductive performances in dairy cows. In this study, 247 Holstein dairy cows were selected during prepartum transitional period and divided randomly into two groups. A group: a single injection of vitamin E + selenium at Day 250 of gestation and B group: two injection of vitamin E + selenium at days 250 and 270 of gestation. Indices of reproductive performance, milk yield and milk somatic cell count were compared between two groups. There was no significant difference in reproductive indices in B group compared to A group. Milk yield in different month of after calving and somatic cell count did not show any significant difference between groups. In summary, the results of this study showed that use of extra supplementation with vitamin E and selenium in prepartum period did not significantly affect reproductive parameters, milk yield and the somatic cell count.

Strangles is a prevalent infectious and contagious disease among Equidae that is caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies equi. The present study was performed on patient and healthy horses to evaluate serum levels of vitamin C (vitamin C), vitamin E (vitamin E), selenium (Sel) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Clinical signs and bacterial culture confirmed sixty patient horses. To separate the serum, blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of the studied horses. Blood samples were also taken from 52 healthy horses with similar conditions (age, diet, etc.). Serum levels of Vit E, Vit C, Se and serum’s activity of GPx were measured in samples taken from healthy and patient horses. The mean serum concentration of vitamin E, selenium and serum glutathione peroxidase activity in patient horses were significantly reduced. A significant increase in the patient's hemoglobin concentration was observed. The study of the relationship between serum selenium and antioxidants (serum glutathione peroxidase activity, vitamin E and hemoglobin) showed that increasing serum selenium also increased the antioxidants studied. Serum antioxidant markers were significant in patient horses in all three cases. The final outcome is that in horses which infected to strangles antioxidants like selenium, glutathione peroxidase and vitamin E reduced and these antioxidant intakes for dealing with them this issue should be considered in treating these patients.

Selenium is a component of some important selenoproteins and enzymes required for main functions in organisms as antioxidant defense, reduction of inflammation, thyroid hormone production, DNA synthesis, fertility, reproduction and killing cancer cells (by reducing the blood supply to tumors). This study was conducted to determine the effects of organic and inorganic selenium (Se) supplementation on serum Se status. 21 healthy mix breed horses 5-8 years of age were randomly divided into three groups, control without Se (CTRL), non-organic bolus (INORG) and organic Se (ORG) and in one of the horse riding clubs in Tehran province. Animals were located in control and treatment groups. Control group received only routine equine diet (were fed a typical alfalfa, grain and straw yields) for 28 days. First treatment group received routine diet plus premix (included 1 mg sodium selenite/day) and a second group was supplemented with 1 mg commercially available –enriched yeast (O-Sel). Blood samples (5ml) were taken by venoject tube from jugular vein on day 0, 14 and 28. Serum selenium levels were measured by atomic absorption method and serum glutathione peroxidase was measured using a biochemical kit. Serum activity of glutathione peroxidase showed a significant difference between the two treatment groups compared to control group (p≤ 0.05). Mean serum Se concentration on d 14 and 28 was greater (P<0.006) for Se-supplemented horses compared with CTRL horses, and tended (P<0.004) to be greater in ORG vs. INORG on d 28. The results of present study showed that use of selenium premix increased blood sera according to results and organic supplementation in horse appeared more efficient and the enzyme glutathione peroxidase could be a good indicator for assessing selenium status in the study groups.

This experiment was performed to investigate the effects of organic and inorganic sources of minerals zinc and selenium on yield, egg quality and selenium and zinc concentration in eggs in older laying hens. In this experiment, 210 Leghorn laying hens-line strains (w-36) at the age of 83 weeks were used based on a completely randomized design. Treatments included seven treatments with three replications and 10 chickens in each replication. Treatments included two inorganic sources of zinc and selenium including zinc oxide and sodium selenite and two organic sources of zinc methionine and selenomethionine and control treatment. Production yield, egg quality and selenium concentration on eggs were evaluated for six weeks. The results showed that organic and inorganic sources of zinc and selenium in the diet of laying hens did not have a significant effect on production performance and internal quality of eggs. Addition of zinc and selenium supplements from organic sources improved egg shell quality compared to the control group. Organic and inorganic sources of selenium and zinc increased selenium and zinc stores in eggs at 85 and 87 weeks (P <0.05) .There was no significant difference between organic and inorganic sources for egg enrichment with selenium and zinc. Increased selenium and zinc storage was observed up to 88 weeks old laying hens. Addition of zinc and selenium supplements from organic sources improved egg shell quality.

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of vitamin E and selenium on mastitis treatment outcome and Malondialdehyde (MDA) and vitamin D level in serum.

In this study 3 groups of cows were evaluated, which are as follows: 1.The control group that did not have clinical mastitis and other inflammatory diseases. 2. Experimental group (1) that had clinical mastitis underwent routine field treatment. 3. Experimental group (2) that had clinical mastitis underwent routine field treatment along with vitamin E and selenium. After disinfecting, blood samples were obtained from jugular vein by clot tube and venoject at the both time of diagnosis and recovery. The level of vitamin D was assayed by chromatography and MDA was measured by ELISA method.

The results showed that the average levels of vitamin D in serum of mastitic cows were lower and MDA was upper than healthy cows as there was a significant difference between sick groups (mastitic cows) and healthy cows in those parameters. It was also determined that vitamin D level had increased and MDA decreased in the treated cows in the recovery period. According to the findings of this research it is obvious that in experimental group (2) vitamin E and selenium consumption had led to a significant decrease in MDA and increased vitamin D level in serum as there was a significant difference between the time of diagnosis and recovery in experimental group (2).

Therefore, it can be said that although the vitamin E and selenium consumption is seemingly increased body resistance and the level of vitamin D and decreased in MDA levels in the recovery period and prevented the disease from becoming chronic, there was no clinically improvement in the recovery process.

Iodine and selenium have been identified as essential elements for animal health. Primary or secondary deficiencies of soil and forage iodine could be associated with thyroid glands dysfunction and abortion and selenium deficiency could be related to white muscle disease and decreased fertility in sheep. This study was aimed to evaluate the association of iodine, selenium and sulfur of soil and pastoral forages with serum levels of thyroid hormones and enzyme activity of glutathione peroxidase in sheep in Ramhormoz city, southwestern Iran. Four areas in Ramhormoz city were selected and eight soil samples, 8 forage samples (2 samples from each zone) and 60 sheep serum samples (15 samples from each zone) were obtained. With alkaline digesting, the soil samples were read by ICP-OES method. Forage samples were also analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Serum levels of thyroid hormones and glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity (GPx) were measured by laboratory kits. The mean values of sulfur content in soil (2010± 658 mg/kg) and forage (21443± 2999 mg/kg) were significantly higher compared to its standard levels (p < 0.01). The mean iodine and selenium of forage and serum thyroid hormones were in the normal range compared to the standard values. The mean sheep blood activity of GPx in two areas was in deficient status and two other areas were in the marginal levels. In conclusion, the amount of forage iodine in all areas was sufficient to meet the nutritional needs of sheep, and the levels of thyroid hormones were in the normal range. It seems, besides selenium was sufficient in forage, the high levels of soil and forage sulfur resulted in reducing selenium bioavailability for sheep as well as a deficiency to borderline deficiency status for GPx in sheep in the study area.

This study aims to determine the effect of vitamin E alone and Se+ vitamin E supplement on ewes at the last stage of gestation on serum Se, Cu, Zn and Fe status of ewes and their lambs. Sixty fat tail ewes were randomly assigned to three treatment groups. Four and two weeks before expected lambing, ewes were injected intramuscularly 0 ml (C) 10 ml vitamin E (T1), 10 ml (T2) selenium and vitamin E respectively. Blood samples were collected from ewes 4 weeks before expected lambing time and on the day of lambing. Blood samples of their lambs were taken from the jugular vein at birth and on 7 days post perturaf. Selenium, Cu, Zn and Fe concentrations of serum and colostrum were measured. The results indicated that the colostrum and serum concentration of Se increased in T2 compared with the others (P<0.05). The colostrum and serum Cu concentrations were significantly increased in T2 ewes and their lambs (P<0.05). The colostrum and serum Zn and Fe concentration of ewes were not affected by supplement(P>0.05). The serum concentration of Cu increased in T2, which was concomitant with a reduction in Zn concentration in serum and colostrums. It seems that an increase in serum concentration of Cu at the end of pregnancy in ewes given Se supplement could disturb the Zn: Cu ratios which in turn lead to Zn reduction. There was a positive effect between serum Se concentration with Cu and also a negative effect between Se and Zn in treated ewes.

The aim of this study was to determine selenium concentration of 16 different species of fish. Ninety six samples were obtained randomly from fish market in Ahvaz. In the marine fishes the highest and lowest concentration of selenium were measured in two species Liza klunzingeri and Platycephalus indicus 0.618±0.01 and 0.409±0.02 mg/Kg. In freshwater fishes the highest and lowest concentration of selenium were in two species Carasobarbus luteus and Barbus shrpeyi 0.291±0.01 and 0.251±0.02 mg/Kg. In farmed fish highest and lowest concentration of selenium were in two species Oncorhynchus mykiss and Aristichthys nobilis 0.202±0.009 and 0.147±0.001 mg/Kg. In marine, freshwater and farmed fishes concentration of selenium were significantly different (P<0.05). Concentration of this element in marine fishes was higher than the freshwater and farmed fishes. Also, in farmed fishes was lower than the marine and freshwater fishes. The pattern of accumulation of selenium element in the form of fishes was raised: marine fishes > freshwater fishes > farmed fishes. In this study concentration of selenium in the muscle of 16 species of fish was lower than Global Standards (2 mg/Kg).

Selenium has an important role in the metabolism of thyroid hormones because it is necessary in the conversion ofthyroxine (T4) to its active form triiodothyronine (T3). For this conversion, selenoenzymes which are mainly located in the liver and kidneys are necessary. This study was conducted to determine the effects of organic and inorganic selenium (Se) supplementation on serumic levels of thyroid hormones in mixed breed horses. For this purpose, 10 healthy mixed breed horses 4-5 years of age were randomly divided into two equal groups. The first treatment group received routine diet plus premix (1 mg sodium selenite/day) for 12 days and the second group was supplemented similarly with 1 mg commercially available yeast enriched organic selenium (O-Sel). Blood samples were taken by venoject tubes from the jugular vein on days 0, 3, 6 and 12. Serumic selenium concentrations were measured using atomic absorption and serum thyroid hormones were measured by spectrophotometer. After selenium supplementation, mean serum T3 levels increased significantly in both treatment groups (p<0.05) while T4 concentrations decreased. According to the results, administration of limited amounts of selenium can increase the active form of thyroid hormones with a positive impact on the performance of the horse.

The effects of selenium supplements were investigated on blood glutathione peroxidase activity (GPX), selenium, copper, zinc, iron and weight gain. Twelve female Makuei breed, aged nearly 2 months old and weighed approximately 20 kg was studied for 63 days in 3 groups of control, nano selenium particles (NanoSe) and sodium selenite (NaSe). Mean concentrations of GPX, Cu and Fe were high in NanoSe but the differences were not significant. Among sampling time, it was significant constantly for GPX and Se, occasionally for Cu and Zn but not for weight gain. The percentages of weight gain based on birth weight in groups control, Nano SE were 34.2%, 38.9% and 36.3%, respectively, all were not different among groups and sampling times. The individual comparison of parameters in 40 lambs among groups showed differences for GPX, Se and Cu (P<0.01). Correlations were found between weight/Fe, weight/GPX weight/Se, Zn/Fe and GPX/Se in NanoSe. In conclusion, Se supplements increases GPX activity and Se in which the increases in NanoSe was regular and continues. Se supplements showed no negative effects on Cu, Zn and Fe but caused partially increase in weight gain. NanoSe revealed the correlations between weight gain, GPX, Fe and Se and was priority to NaSe. Thus, the effects of NanoSe in reduce the oxidative stress and increased weight gain was appropriate and probably reasonable option to NaSe administration in lambs.

Arsenic is a toxic element that exists in mineral and industrial resources. The poultry can be contaminated with arsenic through water and food. This study was conducted to determine the effects of an in-ovo injection of arsenic on the hatchability. In addition, Influence of vitamin E and selenium to neutralize the effect of arsenic was investigated. Fertilized eggs that were obtained from a Broiler breeder farm were placed in incubator. On the seventh day of incubation, 192 embryonated eggs were divided into four groups of 48 eggs and 0.1 ml of solution was injected into air sacs. The eggs of group I (control group), Group II, Group III and Group IV were injected respectively distilled water, arsenic oxide, a blend of selenium and vitamin E and a blend of selenium, vitamin E and arsenic oxide. Then the eggs were returned to the incubator. Hatchability and weight of the newly hatched chicken were measured. Rate of hatchability in group I (control), group II (arsenic), Group III (vitamin E and selenium) and Group IV (vitamin E, selenium and arsenic) were respectively 92%, 67%, 98% and 83%. The results showed that the hatchability was significantly different between groups. It was found that injection of arsenic significantly reduced hatchability and injection of vitamin E and selenium significantly increased hatchability. Also It was found that the average weight chickens was significantly different between groups.