Glutathione peroxidase activity in bovine serum and erythrocytes in relation to selenium concentrations of blood, serum and liver.

The concentration of selenium (Se) in liver, serum and whole blood, and the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) in serum and erythrocytes were monitored for seven months after the administration of Se to Se-deficient calves. There was a rapid increase in Se concentration in liver and serum, followed by an exponential decline with half-lives of 22.1 +/- 0.2 days and 28.3 +/- 2.0 days respectively. Whole blood Se concentration also increased rapidly but declined more slowly than liver or serum Se concentraations. The rise in Se concentration and GSH-px activity in erythrocytes was delayed and both levels remained elevated several months after liver and serum Se concentrations had become marginal or deficient. GSH-px activity in serum increased more rapidly after dosing and declined more rapidly than GSH-px activity in erythrocytes. The results suggest that liver and serum Se concentration and serum GSH-px activity respond to changes in dietary Se intake more rapidly than either whole blood Se or erythrocyte GSH-px activity. Two-monthly administrations of Se, at the current recommended therapeutic dose (0.1 mg Se/kg as sodium selenate) appears to be necessary to maintain adequate Se levels in calves on Se-deficient pasture.