Effect of selenium deficiency and its supplementation on DTH response, antibody forming cells and antibody titre.

Selenium levels and the activity of Selenoenzyme glutathione peroxidase were measure in whole blood in order to assess the selenium status. Delayed type of hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction was suppressed significantly in selenium deficient rats indicating the decrease in cellular immunity. The B cell function was impaired in selenium deficient rats as evident from decrease in the number of plaque forming cells and antibody titre. Selenium supplementation for 30 days recovered the DTH response and B cell function to a marked extent.