Beneficial and ineffective levels of selenium for growth and muscular dystrophy

Abstract

1. The effectiveness of supplementing a vitamin E-deficient basal diet with levels from 0 to 20 ppm of selenium as sodium selenite, alone and in combination with graded levels of L-cystine, sodium sulphate, L-serine and vitamine E, has been studied in chicks from 1 day of age to 4 weeks. Supplementation with Se at levels up to 1 ppm had maximum beneficial effects on growth and prevention of muscular dystrophy. Levels of Se above 1 ppm were progressively less effective, and, in chicks given supplements of 20 ppm Se, growth and muscular dystrophy were depressed to that found with chicks given the basal diet.2. Supplementation with L-cystine (0.08% and 0.16%) in combination with Se up to 1 ppm was beneficial, but this effect was progressively suppressed as the amount of Se was increased beyond this level. Supplementation with sodium sulphate (0.08% and 0.16%) or L-serine (0.08% and 0.16%) instead of L-cystine had no influence on the effectiveness of Se at any level of the latter tested.3. The effectiveness of dietary D-α-tocopheryl acetate, up to 20 mg/kg, for growth and in the prevention of muscular dystrophy was improved by Se at levels up to 1 ppm. Its effectiveness was then progressively reduced as the amount of Se was increased above 1 ppm.4. It appears that Se at low levels spares L-cystine and vitamin E in the chick, whereas at high levels it increases their requirement for growth and prevention of muscular dystrophy.