Dietary selenium- and vitamin E-induced alterations in some rabbit tissues

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Biochemistry
• Toxicology
• Animal Physiology

Background:

• Selenium (Se) and vitamin E are essential antioxidants crucial for maintaining cellular integrity and physiological functions.
• Imbalances in Se and vitamin E intake can lead to oxidative stress and cellular damage.
• Understanding the dose-dependent effects of Se and vitamin E is vital for animal health and nutrition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the comparative effects of dietary selenium (Se) and vitamin E on physiological and histological parameters in rabbits.
• To evaluate the impact of deficient, adequate, and rich Se and vitamin E diets on blood parameters, enzyme activities, and tissue histology.
• To determine the consequences of Se deficiency/toxicity and vitamin E deficiency on rabbit health.

Main Methods:

• Young rabbits were fed diets with varying concentrations of Se and vitamin E (deficient, adequate, rich) for 12-15 weeks.
• Plasma Se levels, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity, and other blood parameters were analyzed.
• Platelet aggregation, white blood cell counts, and histological changes in liver, heart, and skin tissues were examined.

Main Results:

• Plasma Se and glutathione peroxidase activity showed a dose-dependent response, increasing with higher Se intake.
• Platelet aggregation increased in the Se-deficient group and decreased significantly in the Se-rich group.
• Histological examination revealed more pronounced tissue lesions and cell degeneration in rabbits fed the Se-rich diet compared to the Se-deficient group.

Conclusions:

• Both selenium deficiency and toxicity, along with vitamin E deficiency, induce significant alterations in physiological functions and lead to histological damage in rabbit tissues.
• Optimal levels of dietary selenium and vitamin E are critical to prevent adverse health effects and maintain tissue integrity.
• The study underscores the importance of balanced nutrition, as both deficiency and excess of Se can be detrimental.