Analyze Diet
Journal of animal science2006; 84(7); 1742-1748; doi: 10.2527/jas.2005-413

Effect of selenium supplementation and source on the selenium status of horses.

Abstract: This study was conducted to determine the effect of Se supplementation and source on the Se status of horses. Eighteen 18-mo-old nonexercised horses were randomly assigned within sex to 1 of 3 treatments: 1) control (CTRL, no supplemental Se, 0.15 mg of Se/kg of total diet DM); 2) inorganic Se (INORG, CTRL + 0.45 mg of Se/kg of total diet DM from NaSeO3); or organic Se [ORG, CTRL + 0.45 mg of Se/kg of total diet DM from zinc-L-selenomethionine (Availa Se, Zinpro, Corp., Eden Prairie, MN)]. Horses were acclimated to the CTRL diet (7.1 kg of DM alfalfa hay and 1.2 kg of DM concentrate per horse daily) for 28 d. After the acclimation period, the appropriate treatment was top-dressed on the individually fed concentrate for 56 d. Jugular venous blood samples were collected on d 0, 28, and 56. Middle gluteal muscle biopsies were collected on d 0 and 56. Muscle and plasma were analyzed for Se concentrations. Glutathione peroxidase activity was measured in muscle (M GPx-1), plasma (P GPx-3), and red blood cells (RBC GPx-1). Data were analyzed as a repeated measures design. Mean plasma Se concentration on d 28 and 56 was greater (P < 0.05) for Se-supplemented horses compared with CTRL horses, and tended (P < 0.1) to be greater in ORG vs. INORG on d 28. Mean muscle Se concentration and P GPx-3 activities increased (P < 0.05) from d 0 to 56 but were not affected by treatment. Mean RBC GPx-1 activity tended to be greater (P < 0.1) in ORG than INORG or CTRL horses on d 28, and tended to be greater (P < 0.1) for INORG compared with ORG horses on d 56. Mean RBC GPx-1 activity of INORG and ORG horses was not different from that of CTRL on d 56. Mean M GPx-1 activity decreased (P < 0.01) from d 0 to 56. In conclusion, zinc-L-selenomethionine was more effective than NaSeO3 at increasing plasma Se concentration from d 0 to 28; however, both supplemental Se sources had a similar effect by d 56. No difference in Se status due to Se supplementation or source could be detected over a 56-d supplementation period by monitoring middle gluteal muscle Se, M GPx-1, or P GPx-3. Results for RBC GPx-1 also were inconclusive relative to the effect of Se supplementation and source.
Publication Date: 2006-06-16 PubMed ID: 16775058DOI: 10.2527/jas.2005-413Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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This study investigated how selenium supplementation, and the source of it, affected the selenium status in adult horses. The findings suggest that zinc-L-selenomethionine was more effective than sodium selenite at increasing plasma selenium concentrations in the initial period, though by the end of the study period, both sources had similar effects.

Methodology

  • The researchers assigned eighteen 18-month-old non-exercised horses randomly to one of three treatment groups. These were a control group with no additional selenium input, a group receiving inorganic selenium from Sodium selenite (NaSeO3), and a group receiving organic selenium from zinc-L-selenomethionine.
  • Initially, all horses were fed a control diet for 28 days to acclimate. Then the relevant treatment was added to their food for a period of 56 days.
  • Blood samples were taken from the horses on day 0, day 28, and day 56. Also, muscle biopsies were taken from the middle gluteal muscle on day 0 and day 56.
  • These samples were analyzed for selenium concentrations and the activity of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase in muscle (M GPx-1), plasma (P GPx-3) and red blood cells (RBC GPx-1).

Findings

  • On days 28 and 56, it was found that the selenium concentration in plasma was higher in the supplemented horses compared to the control group. This increase was marginally greater in the organic selenium group compared to the inorganic group on day 28.
  • Interestingly, selenium concentration in muscle and activity of P GPx-3 increased over time from day 0 to 56 regardless of the type of selenium treatment.
  • RBC GPx-1 activity was observed to be slightly higher in the organic selenium group compared to the others on day 28. However, on day 56, the inorganic selenium group showed a marginally higher activity of this enzyme.
  • Activity of M GPx-1 showed a decrease from day 0 to 56.

Conclusion

  • The researchers concluded that zinc-L-selenomethionine was more effective than Sodium selenite at increasing plasma selenium concentration from day 0 to 28. However, the effectiveness of both supplemental selenium sources was found to be similar by day 56.
  • No significant difference in selenium status due to selenium supplementation or source was observed over the 56-day supplementation period. This was determined by monitoring muscle selenium, M GPx-1, or P GPx-3.
  • The results for RBC GPx-1 were inconclusive in terms of determining the effect of selenium supplementation and source.

Cite This Article

APA
Richardson SM, Siciliano PD, Engle TE, Larson CK, Ward TL. (2006). Effect of selenium supplementation and source on the selenium status of horses. J Anim Sci, 84(7), 1742-1748. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2005-413

Publication

ISSN: 1525-3163
NlmUniqueID: 8003002
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 84
Issue: 7
Pages: 1742-1748

Researcher Affiliations

Richardson, S M
  • Animal Science Department, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523-1171, USA.
Siciliano, P D
    Engle, T E
      Larson, C K
        Ward, T L

          MeSH Terms

          • Animal Feed / analysis
          • Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
          • Animals
          • Body Weight
          • Diet / veterinary
          • Dietary Supplements
          • Female
          • Glutathione Peroxidase / metabolism
          • Horses / metabolism
          • Male
          • Muscle, Skeletal / chemistry
          • Organoselenium Compounds / metabolism
          • Selenium / analysis
          • Selenium / blood
          • Selenium / metabolism
          • Selenium / pharmacology

          Citations

          This article has been cited 11 times.
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