Bioavailability to rats of selenium in ovine muscle, liver and hemoglobin

Abstract

Muscle, liver and hemoglobin from sheep which had been fed a high selenium (Se) diet (1 mg Se/kg) were incorporated into diets for rats at levels of 0.05, 0.1 and 0.15 μg Se per g diet. Se as either selenite or L-selenomethionine (SeMet) were used as standards at these same levels to obtain information on the most suitable reference. Tissue Se levels and glutathione peroxidase activities were used to assess bioavailability. Se was found to be more available in muscle than liver or hemoglobin.