Erythrocyte and liver characteristics in low and high glutathione Finn sheep.

Selenium-uptake, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 and hepatic glutathione contents were studied in Finnsheep. The erythrocytes of low-GSH sheep had higher Selenium uptake and GSH-Px activity than did those in high-GSH animals. The low Se uptake in high-GSH sheep could be due to continuous pumping of Se from the cells into the erythrocytes, which reflects the active role of these cells, compared to those in low-GSH sheep. Significant differences in hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 content were found in the two groups of sheep. The greater activity among the low-GSH sheep suggests that they may have more active detoxification mechanisms than the high-GSH animals. The glutathione content in the liver was similar in both high and low-GSH sheep.