title: Low-selenium diet induces cell cycle arrest of thymocytes and alters serum IL-2 content in chickens.
abstract: The purpose of this 42-day study was to investigate the effects of low selenium (Se) on cellular immune function by determining cell cycle of thymus, serum IL-2 content, and mitogenesis of peripheral blood T-lymphocytes. One hundred twenty 1-day-old Avian broilers were randomly assigned to two groups of 60 each and were fed on a low-Se diet (0.0342 mg/kg Se) or a control diet (0.2 mg/kg Se), respectively. Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry showed that low-Se diet caused an increase in G(0)G(1) phase cells that corresponded to a decrease in S-phase cells in thymus. Ultrastructurally, mitochondria injury and increased apoptotic cells with condensed nuclei were observed. Low-Se diet decreased the serum IL-2 contents and mitogenesis of peripheral blood lymphocytes to concanavalin A in comparison with those of control group. These data indicate that low-Se diet inhibits the development of thymus by arresting the cell cycle and decreasing the IL-2 content.
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, Sichuan, China, 625014.
authors: Xi
authors: X
authors: Peng
authors: Hengmin
authors: H
authors: Cui
authors: Jingxin
authors: J
authors: Yuan
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Cui
authors: Jing
authors: J
authors: Fang
authors: Zhicai
authors: Z
authors: Zuo
authors: Junliang
authors: J
authors: Deng
authors: Kangcheng
authors: K
authors: Pan
authors: Yi
authors: Y
authors: Zhou
authors: Weimin
authors: W
authors: Lai