Efficient selenium transfer from mother to offspring in selenoprotein-P-deficient mice enables dose-dependent rescue of phenotypes associated with selenium deficiency.
Mice deficient in selenoprotein P exhibit a disturbed selenium distribution and reduced activities of other selenoenzymes and display defects in growth and motor co-ordination. We have normalized selenoenzyme activities and rescued the phenotype of mutant mice by supplementing their nursing mothers with sodium selenite. Our results indicate that selenium from inorganic sources can be transferred efficiently via mother's milk to the developing offspring in a form that is both highly bioavailable by target tissues and yet sufficiently safe to prevent overdosages.
Schweizer
Ulrich
U
Neurobiologie des Selens, Neurowissenschaftliches Forschungszentrum, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité Campus Mitte, Schumannstrasse 20/21, D-10117 Berlin, Germany. ulrich.schweizer@charite.de
Michaelis
Marten
M
Köhrle
Josef
J
Schomburg
Lutz
L
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D003677:Deficiency Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004326:Drinking; D005260:Female; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D010641:Phenotype; D011247:Pregnancy; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012643:Selenium / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency*; D051149:Selenoprotein P; D051140:Selenoproteins; D018038:Sodium Selenite / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015430:Weight Gain
D011506:Proteins; D051149:Selenoprotein P; D051140:Selenoproteins; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D012643:Selenium; D018038:Sodium Selenite