The brain and testis retain selenium better than other tissues during selenium deficiency. Studies of mice with selenoprotein P (Sepp1) deleted (Sepp1(-/-) mice) showed that brain and testis selenium levels are largely dependent on Sepp1. Therefore, we examined tissue selenium in mice fed varying amounts of selenium and in Sepp1(-/-) mice to characterize better the role(s) of Sepp1. Mice were f...

The goal of the experiment was to compare the effect of supplementation of inorganic and the new organically bound (lactate-protein selenium complex) form of selenium (Se) in feed for goats. The 31 goats were split into three groups: control (C) without Se supplementation, AN group administered sodium selenite, ORG group administered lactate-protein selenium complex (Selene Chelate, Agrobac, Cz...

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of feeding growing pigs a diet low in selenium (Se) and vitamin E (E) with and without supplementation of various levels of Se and/or E on tissue Se and serum tocopherol concentrations. Nine of 10 pigs fed the unsupplemented cull pea diet had lesions attributed to a Se-E deficiency and eight of these pigs died during the 135-day experiment. No de...

Research regarding the nutritional importance of selenium (Se) has changed markedly over the last 75 years. In the 1930's Se was identified as the toxic agent causing alkali disease in animals. In the 1940's and early 1950's research was conducted to identify the specific seleno-compounds causing toxicity and to develop prophylactic and treatment schemes for selenium toxicity. Selenium research...

BACKGROUND Selenium is an essential element, but its metabolism in humans is not well characterized. A few small studies indicate that the trimethylselenonium ion (TMSe) is a common selenium metabolite in humans. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to elucidate the human metabolism of selenium to TMSe. DESIGN Study individuals constituted subsamples of 2 cohorts: 1) pregnant women (n = 228) and thei...

Cereals and soybeans are the main food sources for the majority of Chinese. This study evaluated the effects of four common cooking methods including steaming, boiling, frying, and milking on selenium (Se) content and speciation in seven selenium bio-fortified cereals and soybeans samples. The Se concentrations in the selected samples ranged from 0.91 to 110.8 mg/kg and selenomethionine (SeMet)...

BACKGROUND: Selenium is now recognized as essential trace element for ruminants. OBJECTIVES: Studying the effect of different levels of selcote ultra fertilizer and farm yard manure on the concentration of selenium in alfalfa in order to achieve optimum concentration of selenium in this plant. METHODS: The experiment was factorial based on ra...

Selenium (Se) at very low doses has crucial functions in humans and animals. Since plants represent the main dietary source of this element, Se-containing crops may be used as a means to deliver Se to consumers (biofortification). Several strategies have been exploited to increase plant Se content. Selenium assimilation in plants affects both sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) metabolic pathways, whic...

Combined pollution of selenium (Se) and mercury (Hg) has been known in Wanshan district (Guizhou Province, China). A better understanding of how Se and Hg interact in plants and the phytotoxicity thereof will provide clues about how to avoid or mitigate adverse effects of Se/Hg on local agriculture. In this study, the biological activity of Se has been investigated in garlic with or without Hg ...

We report here the solid phase synthesis of RNA and DNA oligonucleotides containing the 2'-selenium functionality for X-ray crystallography using multiwavelength anomalous dispersion. We have synthesized the novel 2'-methylseleno cytidine phosphoramidite and improved the accessibility of the 2'-methylseleno uridine phosphoramidite for the synthesis of many selenium-derivatized DNAs and RNAs in ...