Effects of riboflavin supplementation and selenium source on selenium metabolism in the young pig

The effect of dietary riboflavin (B2) supplementation and selenium (Se) source on the performance and Se metabolism of weanling pigs was studied. Pigs fed a B2-supplemented (10 mg/kg) casein-glucose diet for 18 d gained faster than pigs fed the B2-unsupplemented diet. Percentage active erythrocyte glutathione reductase (GR) declined rapidly when pigs were placed on the B2-unsupplemented diet and was lower (P less than .01) than that of B2-supplemented pigs after 12 d on test. Percentage active erythrocyte GR values fell below 50% before other B2 deficiency signs became evident. Supplementation of diets with 10 mg B2/kg resulted in increased kidney and muscle glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity. The Se concentration of liver and heart increased and plasma Se levels decreased with dietary B2 supplementation. Riboflavin supplementation and Se source did not alter apparent Se absorption, but B2 supplementation decreased urinary Se and thus increased Se retention. Also, there was less urinary Se excretion when selenomethionine was the dietary Se source and consequently more Se was retained than when sodium selenite was the dietary Se source. In a final trial, B2 supplementation increased kidney, muscle, heart and brain GSH-Px activity when sodium selenite was the dietary Se source, but not when selenomethionine was the dietary Se source.