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Related Experiment Videos

Maternal selenium nutrition and neonatal immune system development.

Maggie L Dylewski1, Andrea M Mastro, Mary Francis Picciano

  • 1Department of Nutrition, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.

Biology of the Neonate
|August 10, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Maternal dietary selenium intake significantly affects neonatal immune development. Low selenium levels in mothers reduce selenium in milk, impairing neonatal immune cell function and differentiation, highlighting the importance of selenium for infant immunity.

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Selenium is an essential trace element crucial for immune function.
  • Maternal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation critically influences neonatal development and immunity.
  • The specific impact of dietary selenium on neonatal immune cell development requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of maternal dietary selenium intake on neonatal immune cell differentiation and function.
  • To assess the relationship between maternal selenium status, milk selenium concentration, and neonatal selenium levels.
  • To determine how reduced neonatal selenium status influences specific immune cell populations and their activation.

Main Methods:

  • Controlled dietary selenium intake in pregnant and lactating mothers.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Measurement of maternal plasma selenium, milk selenium, and neonatal plasma selenium concentrations.
  • In vitro assessment of thymocyte activation in neonates from low-selenium-fed mothers.
  • Flow cytometric analysis to quantify percentages of CD8 cytotoxic T cells, CD2 T cells, panB cells, and natural killer cells in neonates.

    • Main Results:

    • Low maternal selenium intake significantly reduced maternal plasma selenium (33%), milk selenium (36%), and neonatal plasma selenium (47%).
    • Neonatal thymocytes from mothers with low selenium intake exhibited impaired in vitro activation.
    • Decreased percentages of CD8 cytotoxic T cells (p = 0.03), CD2 T cells (p = 0.09), panB cells (p = 0.02), and natural killer cells (p = 0.07) were observed in neonates from low-selenium-fed mothers.
    • These changes were statistically significant for CD8 cytotoxic T cells and panB cells.

    Conclusions:

    • Maternal dietary selenium intake is a critical determinant of neonatal selenium status.
    • Reduced maternal selenium intake negatively impacts neonatal immune cell development and function.
    • Adequate selenium intake during pregnancy and lactation is essential for robust neonatal immune system development.