Evaluation of the respiratory elimination kinetics of selenium after oral administration in sheep.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the respiratory excretion and elimination kinetics of organic and inorganic selenium after oral administration in sheep.


METHODS
38 crossbred sheep.


METHODS
Selenium was administered PO to sheep as a single dose of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 mg/kg as sodium selenite or selenomethionine. Expired air was collected and analyzed from all sheep at 4, 8, and 16 hours after administration.


RESULTS
Clinical signs consistent with selenium intoxication were seen in treatment groups given sodium selenite but not in treatment groups given the equivalent amount of selenium as selenomethionine. However, a distinct garlic-like odor was evident in the breath of all sheep receiving 2 to 4 mg of selenium/kg. The intensity of odor in the breath did not correlate with clinical signs in affected animals receiving sodium selenite treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The concentration of selenium in expired air was greater in sheep receiving selenium as selenomethionine than sodium selenite. The concentration of selenium in expired air from sheep receiving high doses of selenium (3 and 4 mg of selenium/kg) was larger and selenium was expired for a longer duration than the concentration of selenium in expired air from sheep receiving low doses of selenium (1 and 2 mg of selenium/kg).
Tiwary
Asheesh K
AK
Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, 950 E 1400 N, Logan, UT 84341, USA.
Panter
Kip E
KE
Stegelmeier
Bryan L
BL
James
Lynn F
LF
Hall
Jeffery O
JO
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001944:Breath Tests; D006209:Halitosis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D007700:Kinetics; D012643:Selenium / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000633:toxicity; D012645:Selenomethionine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012756:Sheep / Q000502:physiology*; D018038:Sodium Selenite / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D012645:Selenomethionine; D012643:Selenium; D018038:Sodium Selenite