Comparative determination of selenium in the serum of various animal species and humans by means of electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.
Abstract: It was the goal of this paper to establish total selenium reference values for Switzerland in different animal species and in humans. To this purpose, a flameless atomic absorption method with deuterium background compensation utilizing a graphite furnace atomization system with a pyrolytic platform inside and palladium solution as matrix modifier was developed for the measurement of selenium in serum. The method was characterized by rapid performability, small sample requirement, acceptable detection limit (0.04 mumol/L) and precision and a linear range of measurement up to 4 mumol/L. The method proved to be suited for routine application in species with low selenium concentrations, such as cattle. It may be useful wherever small amounts of serum have to be analysed, e.g. in neonatology. Reference values of serum selenium concentration were determined in healthy subjects of various species, including man. They were as follows (min = 5%, max = 95% percentile values in mumol/L): humans (20-60 years): 0.78-1.48, humans (60-100 years): 0.61-1.73, horse: 0.36-1.68, dog: 1.90-4.31, cat: 3.60-10.09, cattle greater than 9 months: 0.10-0.82, calves 3-9 months: 0.19-0.65, sheep: 0.09-0.54, goat: 0.14-1.42, chicken: 1.68-4.28 and pig: 1.97-3.32. From the data it was concluded (i) that the serum selenium concentration depended on the amount of selenium in the food, and on the type of digestive tract; (ii) that carnivors had the highest and ruminants the lowest selenium values; and (iii) that up to 20% of the geriatric donors had inadequate selenium levels.
Publication Date: 1991-06-01 PubMed ID: 1821708
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research paper discusses a study carried out to determine the selenium concentration in the serum of various animal species and humans in Switzerland. Using a developed method of electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry, reference values of the selenium concentration were established.
Methodology
- The researchers used a flameless atomic absorption method with deuterium background compensation.
- This method was made more efficient by incorporating a graphite furnace atomization system with a pyrolytic platform inside and palladium solution as a matrix modifier.
- The technique enabled a quick analysis process and only required small sample sizes.
- It achieved an acceptable detection limit of 0.04 mumol/L and a linear range of measurement up to 4 mumol/L.
Results and Applications
- The study found the method was effective in analysing species with low selenium concentrations, such as cattle, making it practical for routine use.
- It’s particularly useful when only small amounts of serum are available for analysis – a common scenario in neonatology.
- Using this technique, researchers determined reference values for serum selenium concentration in healthy subjects across a variety of species, including humans.
- The study presented the minimum and maximum percentile values for humans divided in two age groups, horses, dogs, cats, cattle, calves, sheep, goats, chickens, and pigs.
Conclusions Drawn
- The study’s data suggests that the serum selenium concentration is influenced by the selenium content in the food and the type of digestive tract.
- Carnivores were found to have the highest selenium levels, and ruminants the lowest.
- The study also revealed that up to 20% of geriatric donors had inadequate selenium levels.
Cite This Article
APA
Forrer R, Gautschi K, Lutz H.
(1991).
Comparative determination of selenium in the serum of various animal species and humans by means of electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.
J Trace Elem Electrolytes Health Dis, 5(2), 101-113.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Veterinary Medical Clinic, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
MeSH Terms
- Adult
- Aged
- Animals
- Cats
- Cattle
- Dogs
- Goats
- Horses
- Humans
- Middle Aged
- Poultry
- Reference Values
- Selenium / blood
- Sheep
- Species Specificity
- Spectrophotometry, Atomic
- Swine
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Novoselec J, Klir Šalavardić Ž, Đidara M, Novoselec M, Vuković R, Ćavar S, Antunović Z. The Effect of Maternal Dietary Selenium Supplementation on Blood Antioxidant and Metabolic Status of Ewes and Their Lambs. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022 Aug 26;11(9).
- Meineri G, Martello E, Radice E, Bruni N, Saettone V, Atuahene D, Armandi A, Testa G, Ribaldone DG. Chronic Intestinal Disorders in Humans and Pets: Current Management and the Potential of Nutraceutical Antioxidants as Alternatives. Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 23;12(7).
- Zentrichová V, Pechová A, Kovaříková S. Selenium and Dogs: A Systematic Review. Animals (Basel) 2021 Feb 6;11(2).
- van Zelst M, Hesta M, Gray K, Staunton R, Du Laing G, Janssens GP. Biomarkers of selenium status in dogs. BMC Vet Res 2016 Jan 19;12:15.
- Brtková A, Magálová T, Babinská K, Béderová A. Serum selenium levels in Slovak population. Biol Trace Elem Res 1994 Oct-Nov;46(1-2):163-71.
- Bilgiç B, Tarhan D, Ateş F, Parkan Yaramiş Ç, Koenhemsi L, Or ME. Investigation of Trace and Macro Element Contents in Commercial Cat Foods. Vet Med Sci 2025 Jan;11(1):e70123.
- Skibniewska EM, Skibniewski M. Selenium Content in the Gonads of Healthy Cats (Felis catus) and Cats with Impaired Homeostasis from the Warsaw Area (Poland). Animals (Basel) 2024 Jan 29;14(3).
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