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The aim of this trial was to compare the effect of supplementation of goats with different forms of selenium on the metabolism of their kids at the time of weaning. The experiment was performed with 45 kids of mothers supplemented with various forms of selenium. Group C was control while the other four groups were supplemented with selenium for six weeks before (0.3 mg/goat/day) and after parturition (0.9 mg/goat/day). Group Se-I received sodium selenite while the other groups received organic forms: Se-lactate-protein complex (Se-L), Se-proteinate (Se-P) and Se-yeast (Se-Y). The kids were weaned at three months of age and samples of blood and urine were taken. Parameters monitored in the blood included Se, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Zn, Cu, thyroxine, triiodothyronine, protein, immunoglobulins, muscle enzymes, total antioxidant status, vitamin A and E. Se levels were determined In the urine. Selenium supplementation of goats from six weeks before delivery significantly influenced selenium concentrations in the blood of kids. Significant differences (P < 0.0002) were found between the control and all experimental groups and further between Se-Y and the other experimental groups (Se-Y: 243.0 ± 20.3 µg/l; Se-I: 156.3 ± 34.3 µg/l; Se-P: 152.6 ± 41.5 µg/l; Se-L: 146.7 ± 20 0 µg/l; C: 67.6 ± 13.1 µg/l). The highest concentration was found in the group supplemented with Se-yeast with a high content of selenomethionine. The other two organic forms of selenium (proteinate and lactate-protein complex) increased the concentration of Se in blood and the activity of GPx to the same extent as the inorganic form of selenium. Se supplementation did not have a negative effect on the concentration of copper and zinc in the blood serum of kids, but we found decreased concentrations of thyroxine in the experimental groups (Se-Y: 79.8 ± 12.8 nmol/l; Se-I: 66.5 ± 13.2 nmol/l; Se-P: 76.2 ± 25.7 nmol/l; Se-L: 84.5 ± 14.8 nmol/l; C: 92.7 ± 13.4 nmol/l). Significant differences were found between the group C and groups Se-I and Se-P (P < 0.05). The supplementation of mothers with Se both in organic and inorganic forms was sufficient to prevent Se deficiency in kids at the time of weaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between selenium concentration and activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the whole blood of sheep and reference ranges for the activity of GSH-Px for evaluation of the selenium status of sheep in the Czech Republic. Selenium concentration and activity of glutathione peroxidase were determined in whole blood samples collected from 92 sheep in six herds. The GSH-Px activity in the samples was measured using the photometric method. Selenium in the sample was measured using the hydride technique atomic absorption spectrometry. Data on both parameters were processed using correlation and regression analysis in order to obtain reference values of GSH-Px for the indirect evaluation of the selenium status of sheep. The two variables showed a close and significant correlation (r = 0.95; P < 0.01). The regression line, defined by the equation y = 7.5857x - 121.87 (linear) or y = -0.0167x2 + 11.993x - 355.57 (polynomial), allowed us to determine the GSH-Px activity of 637, resp. 677 µkat/l as equivalent to selenium concentration in whole blood of sheep 100 µg/l. Mean selenium concentration and mean GSH-Px activity found in whole blood samples were 123.42 ± 57.84 µg/l and 814.34 ± 463.64 µkat/l, respectively. In this study, a close dependence of GSH-Px activity on the selenium concentration in the blood of sheep was found. Activity values of GSH-Px were determined for use in the diagnosis of sufficient selenium status in sheep in the Czech Republic (GSH-Px activity greater than 600 µkat/l of whole blood). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]