Effects of selenium on animal health

Abstract

Selenium is an essential trace element in the diet of humans and domesticated animals. It is a component of more than 30 selenoproteins, which play a significant role in the body. Selenoproteins protect cells from damage inflicted by free radicals, the cause of many chronic diseases. They also participate in the metabolism of thyroid hormones, control reproductive functions and exert neuroprotective effects. In addition to its anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory properties, selenium stimulates the immune system. The role of selenium is aided by vitamin E and sulfur-containing amino acids. Selenium deficiency contributes to pathological changes in farm animals, which incur large financial losses each year. Low selenium levels can lead to the development of nutritional muscular dystrophy, also known as white muscle disease, in lambs, kids, foals, calves and poultry from birth to 3 months of age. Selenium deficiency may also cause exudative diathesis in poultry as well as dietary necrotic liver degeneration and mulberry heart disease in pigs. Parturition problems resulting from reduced tension of the muscular layer of the uterus, postparturient paraplegia, placental retention and purulent inflammations of the uterine lining are also attributed to low selenium levels. Selenium deficiency contributes to the formation of ovarian cysts and increased embryonic mortality in the first 3-4 weeks after insemination. Selenium and vitamin E facilitate neutrophil migration to the mammary gland, and they enhance the bactericidal effects of neutrophils, thus shortening and alleviating the symptoms of clinical mastitis. Selenium poisoning is rarely encountered, and it most often results from an overdose of selenium supplements. The most common forms of selenosis are chronic selenosis, referred to as alkali disease, and acute selenosis, popularly known as blind staggers.

Improving the Immune and Health Status and Blood Constituents of Egyptian Buffaloes and their Offspring in Response to Treating Dams with Selenomethionine and Levamisole

“…In general, buffalo calves produced from G 4 recorded the highest (P<0.05) values of TP, AL, T 3 , T 4 , Se and GL as well as activities of GSH and SOD enzymes and the lowest (P<0.05) values of ALT and AST as compared to those of G 1 or G 2 and G 3 , respectively. This finding came in agreement with previous reports by Pechova et al (2012) and Zarczynska et al (2013). The observed enhancement in TP and AL concentrations in plasma of calf delivered from dams treated with (G 2 , G 3 and G 4 ) may be attributed to higher increase in TP and AL concentrations or an increase of Se and glucose levels in plasma of their dams, particularly in G 4 (Table 2).…”

“…Selenomethionine supplementation of goats from six weeks before delivery significantly enhanced selenium and total protein levels in plasma of their kids (Pechova et al, 2012). Also, Zarczynska et al (2013) demonstrated that selenomethionine can be incorporated into GSH, which helps to protect all body cells from free radicals which are produced during normal metabolic activities and also be incorporated in other proteins in substitution for methionine. Moreover, Schrauzer and Surai (2009) indicated that selenomethionine is the only naturally occurring Se compound that is significantly incorporated into body proteins.…”

A Summary of New Findings on the Biological Effects of Selenium in Selected Animal Species—A Critical Review

“…The disease involves hyaline degeneration of muscle cells in various skeletal muscles, including the diaphragm and the heart [ 204 ]. In ruminants, WMD is also manifested by changes in the frequency and quality of heartbeat [ 205 ]. In lambs with WMD, the arrhythmia was diagnosed using electrocardiography (ECG) [ 206 ].…”

“…The arrhythmia is observed at early stages of cardiomyopathy. The electrocardiograms of diseased calves revealed elevated heart rate, accelerated sinus rhythm, increased P wave amplitude, shorter PR, QT and ST interval, narrower QRS complex, shorter T wave duration and insignificantly increased T wave amplitude [ 205 ].…”

Effects of dietary Selenomethionine supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant status, plasma selenium concentration, and immune function in weaning pigs

“…As an essential trace element, selenium (Se) can enhance immunity, anti-oxidation, and anti-cancer capacity of human and animals. The deficiency of Se may lead to muscular dystrophy, exudative diathesis, necrotic liver degeneration, and mulberry heart disease in farm animals [ 1 ]. On the other hand, high dose of Se can cause selenosis in swine involving hair loss, cracking of hooves, and an interruption in coronary band development of the hoof [ 2 , 3 ].…”