Abstract

LOPEZ-GUTIERREZ, AG et al. Selenium balance in lambs fed organic selenium. Universidad y ciencia [online]. 2012, vol.28, n.2, pp.173-180. ISSN 0186-2979.

The purpose of this study was to determine the balance of Se and the glutathione peroxidase activity. A test was carried out to evaluate the effect of the concentration of Se on the diet, as well as the addition of organic Se. Treatments were: T1) control diet, with 0.33 mg of Se and T2) control + 300 mg of Selplex, with a final Se concentration of 0.93 mg. The test used 8 lambs with an initial weight of 30.5 ± 2.09 kg. The concentration of Se in tissues, the glutathione peroxidase activity and the balance of Se were analysed. The Se in the diet did not affect its concentration in the tissues of the control group and in those of the animals that received organic Se. The glutathione peroxidase activity presented no difference among treatments (p < 0.11), although it decreased slightly during the experiment, both in the control group and in the group under treatment with organic Se. Animals given organic Se presented a higher retention ( p = 0.054) and a greater absorption (p < 0.05) compared with the control group. The addition of organic Se slightly improved its balance in the animals, though it was not reflected in the glutathione peroxidase activity nor in its concentration in the tissues.

Keywords : Organic selenium; tissues; glutathione peroxidase; selenium balance.