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Home / Equine Research Bank / Can J Vet Res / Effects of selenium source on measures of selenium status an...
Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche veterinaire2013; 76(4); 281-291;

Effects of selenium source on measures of selenium status and immune function in horses.

Abstract: The effects of selenium (Se) supplementation and source on equine immune function have not been extensively studied. This study examined the effects of oral Se supplementation and Se source on aspects of innate and adaptive immunity in horses. Fifteen horses were assigned to 1 of 3 groups (5 horses/group): control, inorganic Se (sodium selenite), organic Se (Se yeast). Immune function tests performed included: lymphocyte proliferation in response to mitogen concanavalin A, neutrophil phagocytosis, antibody production after rabies vaccination, relative cytokine gene expression in stimulated lymphocytes [interferon gamma (IFNγ), interleukin (IL)-2, IL-5, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα)], and neutrophils (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, TNFα). Plasma, red blood cell Se, and blood glutathione peroxidase activity were measured. Plasma and red blood cell Se were highest in horses in the organic Se group, compared with that of inorganic Se or control groups. Organic Se supplementation increased the relative lymphocyte expression of IL-5, compared with inorganic Se or no Se. Selenium supplementation increased relative neutrophil expression of IL-1 and IL-8. Other measures of immune function were unaffected. Dietary Se content and source appear to influence immune function in horses, including alterations in lymphocyte expression of IL-5, and neutrophil expression of IL-1 and IL-8. Les effets d’un supplément de sélénium (Se) ainsi que sa source sur la fonction immunitaire équine n’ont pas été étudiés à fond. On examina dans la présente étude les effets d’un supplément oral en Se et les sources de Se sur des éléments de l’immunité innée et adaptative de chevaux. Quinze chevaux ont été assignés à un de trois groupes (5 chevaux/groupe); témoin, Se inorganique (sélénite de sodium), et Se organique (Se provenant de levures). Les tests de fonctions immunitaires effectués étaient : prolifération lymphocytaire en réponse au mitogène concanaviline A, phagocytose par les neutrophiles, production d’anticorps après vaccination anti-rabique, expression relative des gènes des cytokines de lymphocytes stimulés [interferon gamma (IFNγ), interleukine (IL)-2, IL-5, IL-10, facteur de nécrose tumorale alpha (TNFα)], et de neutrophiles (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, TNFα). Le Se plasmatique et des globules rouges, ainsi que l’activité de la glutathion peroxydase ont été mesurés. Le Se plasmatique et des globules rouges étaient plus élevés chez les chevaux dans le groupe de Se organique, comparativement au groupe recevant le Se inorganique ou le groupe témoin. Un supplément de Se organique entraîna une augmentation d’expression relative d’IL-5 par les lymphocytes, comparativement au Se inorganique ou aucun Se. Un supplément de Se augmenta l’expression relative d’IL-1 et IL-8 par les neutrophiles. Les autres mesures des fonctions immunitaires n’étaient pas affectées. Le contenu et les sources de Se alimentaire semblent influencer les fonctions immunitaires des chevaux, incluant des altérations dans l’expression d’IL-5 par les lymphocytes, et l’expression d’IL-1 et IL-8 par les neutrophiles.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).
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Publication Date: 2013-04-02 PubMed ID: 23543954PubMed Central: PMC3460607
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  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research investigates the impacts of Selenium (Se) supplementation, and the source of the Se, on horse immune functionality. The findings suggest that organic Se supplementation can positively influence immune function in horses, particularly enhancing certain immune responses such as lymphocyte and neutrophil production.

Research Context and Methods

  • The research was carried out to supplement a gap in the scientific understanding of the effects of Selenium (Se) supplementation on equine immune function.
  • Fifteen horses were divided into three groups with five horses each: one group was put on a control diet, one received inorganic Se (sodium selenite) and the last group received organic Se (Se from yeast).
  • Several tests were performed on the horses to record their immune functions, which included lymphocyte production in response to the mitogen concanavalin A, effectiveness of neutrophil phagocytosis, and the production of antibodies following a rabies vaccination.
  • Gene expression for cytokines in stimulated lymphocytes and neutrophils was also measured. Cytokines are important signaling proteins released by cells, which can modulate the immune response.
  • In addition, the study also examined levels of Selenium in plasma, red blood cells, and blood glutathione peroxidase activity as markers of Se status in the body.

Key Findings

  • Horses that received organic Se had the highest plasma and red blood cell Selenium levels, compared to those in the inorganic Se or control groups.
  • Organic Se supplementation led to an increase in the relative lymphocyte expression of IL-5 (interleukin 5) compared to inorganic Se.
  • Selenium supplementation also increased relative neutrophil expression of IL-1 and IL-8. These are types of cytokines that can modulate the immune response.
  • No noteworthy impact was found on other measures of immune function.
  • These findings collectively suggest, dietary Se content and source seem to influence immune function in horses, affecting the expression of IL-5 by lymphocytes and IL-1 and IL-8 by neutrophils.

Implications

  • The study adds valuable knowledge to the understanding of the effects of Selenium supplementation on equine immune function.
  • Findings may assist in developing effective dietary supplementation routines to boost the immune system of horses.
  • The positive effect of organic Se on equine immune response may further stimulate research into the benefits and potential risks of varying Se sources.

Cite This Article

APA
Montgomery JB, Wichtel JJ, Wichtel MG, McNiven MA, McClure JT, Markham F, Horohov DW. (2013). Effects of selenium source on measures of selenium status and immune function in horses. Can J Vet Res, 76(4), 281-291.

Publication

Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche veterinaire
ISSN: 1928-9022
NlmUniqueID: 8607793
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 76
Issue: 4
Pages: 281-291

Researcher Affiliations

Montgomery, Julia B
  • Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3, Canada. julia.montgomery@usask.ca
Wichtel, Jeffrey J
    Wichtel, Maureen G
      McNiven, Mary A
        McClure, J T
          Markham, Fred
            Horohov, David W

              MeSH Terms

              • Adaptive Immunity / drug effects
              • Adaptive Immunity / immunology
              • Animals
              • Antibodies, Viral / blood
              • Cytokines / blood
              • Dietary Supplements
              • Female
              • Glutathione Peroxidase / blood
              • Horses / blood
              • Horses / immunology
              • Immunity, Innate / drug effects
              • Immunity, Innate / immunology
              • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
              • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
              • Lymphocytes / drug effects
              • Lymphocytes / immunology
              • Male
              • Phagocytosis / drug effects
              • Phagocytosis / immunology
              • Selenium / administration & dosage
              • Selenium / blood
              • Selenium / immunology

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              Citations

              This article has been cited 6 times.
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