Effect of selenium deficiency on ovine immune status, free radicals production and its correlation to disease occurrence

Document Type : Original Articles

Abstract

This study have been applied on a total of fifty sheep of both sexes selected from three different sheep flocks, in order lo declare the effects of seleniwn deficiency on the immune function, production qffree radicals and incidence of some disease conditions. The selected animals have been allotted into two groups, Group -1involved those clini­ cally and apparently healthy animals (n = 1OJ and were served as control grou p. While, group -2 invol.ved those animals (n = 40) that had the clinical sign of emaciation. rough coat and poor bo<iy condition. Two blood sumples (heparinized and non-heparinized ) have been obtained from each animal in both groups and were subjected to the laboratciry investigations. Tlie obtained biochemical data revealed a significant red uction in the mean values qf 11ilric oxide. T3. total .Zipicls and triglycerides associated with signficant elevations in the mean value of Malondialdehyde and T4 in selenium-deficient sheep in comparison with those of healthy ones. Determination of the enzymatic activities particularl y catalase, superoxide dismutase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase have been can-ied out, and lhe obt ained results revealed that selenium-deficient sheep had a red uced values of these enzymes if compared with those of healthy ones. This reduction might be attributed to the over consumption of these antioxidants resulted from increased levels qf thefree radicals in the cells of selenium-defr.cient sheep. Moreover, selenium-deficient sheep had q lower values for blood -selenium, immunoglobulins (IgM and IgG) which may result in in­ creased risk when those deficient animals are exposed to afurther disease problem. In addition, cellular examination qf milk samples revealed that, selenium d e.ficienl­ sheep had a higher somatic cell counts than those qf the healthy sheep.

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