Monitoring selenium status - what test should we use?

Authors: Clark RG, Ellison RS, Thompson KG
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 39, Issue 4, pp 152-154, Dec 1991
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock
Subject Terms: Clinical pathology, Diagnostic procedures, Diet/rations/food, Nutrition/metabolism, Selenium, Trace elements
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) assays are now commonly used as an alternative to blood selenium concentrations in assessing the selenium status of production animals. This can be justified on the grounds the GSH-px is a selenium-containing enzyme and that its activity is highly correlated with blood selenium concentration. Furthermore, GSH-px assays can be adapted to most automated biochemical analysers currently being used in diagnostic laboratories and are not subject to the problems of sample contamination that commonly interfere with estimations of trace elements. We are concerned, however, that the use of GSH-px assays in some situations is inappropriate and that it could lead to an incorrect decision on whether or not selenium supplementation is required. It is important to recognise that there is an inevitable delay in the response of erythrocyte GSH-px to changes in selemium status. Erythrocytes cannot…

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