Abstract
Selenium (Se), an essential nutrient for animals and humans, occurs as selenoproteins in enzymes. It is very important in animal nutrition because it functions as an anti-oxidant assisted by vitamin E. Se deficiency is a major problem which can be reduced or prevented by supplementation with inorganic or organic sources of Se. However, excessive supplementation and consumption of Se accumulating plants may lead to Se toxicity and animal poisoning. Minimal lethal dose for animals range between 1.5 to 8 mg kg-1 Se live body weight and maximum tolerable concentration of Se in forages is 5 mg kg-1. Se deficiency in animals also depends greatly on Se content of forages and soils. Se deficient soils contain less than 0.6 mg kg-1 and can be fertilized to increase Se content of forages or pastures for animals. Forages are classified as adequate, marginally deficient and deficient in Se and contain 0.2, 0.1-0.199 and <0.1 mg kg-1Se respectively. Silages can also be fortified with selenium to meet the requirements for Se in animals. The requirements of Se for animals need to be met to provide adequate animal and human nutrition.
Highlights
Selenium (Se) is one of the 103 known chemical elements; it was discovered by the Swedish chemist Berzelius in 1817 (Rayman, 2000)
The goal of this paper is to provide a review on nutritional importance of Se and the status of Se in soils and forages with regard to meeting requirements of Se for animals
Selenium is a vital micronutrient in animal nutrition, required in trace quantity
Summary
Selenium (Se) is one of the 103 known chemical elements (like oxygen, hydrogen, carbon and others); it was discovered by the Swedish chemist Berzelius in 1817 (Rayman, 2000). There is a need to meet the requirements of Se for animals in regions with deficient soils and forages since Se is very important for animal and human nutrition. The goal of this paper is to provide a review on nutritional importance of Se and the status of Se in soils and forages with regard to meeting requirements of Se for animals. This is important because adequate animal nutrition often leads to adequate human nutrition in regions where animals provide the main protein source. This paper highlights the unique role of Se in animal nutrition, its concentration and distribution in soils and forages, its deficiency, supplementation, and toxicity disorders
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