Selenium deficency
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Summary
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These studies suggest selenium deficiency can impair immune function, reproductive health, cardiovascular health, and cause oxidative stress and inflammation, while adequate supplementation can prevent these issues.
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Understanding Selenium Deficiency: Impacts and Mechanisms
Selenium Deficiency in Livestock and Animals
Selenium (Se) is a crucial trace element for various physiological processes, including immune and reproductive functions, thyroid hormone metabolism, and antioxidant defense. In livestock, selenium deficiency manifests in several ways. For instance, it can lead to increased incidences of placenta retention, metritis, mastitis, abortions, reduced fertility, and heightened susceptibility to infections. In young animals like calves, lambs, and kids, selenium deficiency is often associated with white muscle disease (WMD), while in foals and donkey foals, it can cause both WMD and yellow fat disease. In pigs, selenium deficiency results in vitamin E/selenium deficiency (VESD) syndrome.
Maternal Selenium Deficiency and Placental Dysfunction
In maternal contexts, selenium deficiency has been linked to gestational complications. Studies in mice have shown that selenium deficiency in pregnant females can impair placental function by reducing placental selenium concentration and antioxidant selenoproteins. This deficiency leads to increased oxidative stress, inhibited placental proliferation, autophagy dysfunction, and apoptosis. These effects are mediated through the Akt/mTOR pathway, highlighting a novel mechanism by which selenium deficiency impairs placental health.
Immune System Impairment in Chickens
Selenium deficiency also significantly impacts the immune system. In chickens, selenium deficiency has been shown to cause immune damage by activating the DUSP1/NF-κB pathway and inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress. This results in the destruction of normal nuclear structures in spleen cells, chromatin condensation, and nuclear debris. The deficiency alters the expression of numerous genes related to oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, leading to immune dysfunction and spleen damage.
Gastrointestinal Health and Intestinal Flora
Chronic selenium deficiency can disrupt the intestinal flora, leading to gastrointestinal issues such as chronic diarrhea. In mice, selenium deficiency has been found to alter the abundance of various gut bacteria, including Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Ileibacterium, while decreasing Romboutsia. These changes are associated with inflammation, autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum stress, apoptosis, and abnormal smooth muscle contraction in the intestines, suggesting that gut flora plays a significant role in the gastrointestinal symptoms caused by selenium deficiency.
Human Health: Cardiovascular and Cognitive Implications
In humans, selenium is vital for cardiovascular health. Selenium deficiency has been linked to several cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction, heart failure, coronary heart disease, and atherosclerosis. Selenoproteins, which incorporate selenium, are essential for protecting against oxidative stress, regulating thyroid hormones, and maintaining calcium flux, all of which are crucial for cardiovascular function. Additionally, low selenium status is associated with increased risks of mortality, poor immune function, cognitive decline, and thyroid dysfunction.
Conclusion
Selenium deficiency has far-reaching impacts across various species, affecting immune function, reproductive health, gastrointestinal integrity, and cardiovascular health. The mechanisms underlying these effects often involve oxidative stress, autophagy dysfunction, and altered gene expression. Addressing selenium deficiency through dietary supplementation and biofortification of plants can help mitigate these adverse health outcomes and improve overall health in both animals and humans.
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