title: Selenium in camel--a review.
abstract: Requirements for trace minerals in camels, particularly selenium, are not well-known. Selenium supplementation using a pharmaceutical form or commercial mineral mixture is common practice in camels to address the cardiomyopathy often attributed to selenium deficiency. This supplementation is often empirical and based on estimated needs for cattle. Nowadays the use of selenium in animal foodstuffs is commonplace and further investigation of its metabolism (ingestion, dynamic of storage-destocking, excretion) in camels is warranted. The present review aimed to synthesize all the experimental research (comparative selenium status in cow and camel, response to different levels of supplementation at different physiological stages, excretion maternal transfer, experimental toxicosis) and field observations (deficiency, supplementation practices) undertaken in camels. The results underline the particularity of the unique metabolic profile of the camel and lead to practical recommendations for supplementation in camels, highlighting its relative sensitivity to excess Se intake at lower levels than in cattle. The maximal tolerable dose is 8 mg and the recommended doses range from 2 to 4 mg.
authors.affiliation: Département Environnement et Sociétés, CIRAD, Campus International de Baillarguet, UR 18, TA/C Dir B, 34398 Montpellier cedex, France.
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Faye
authors.affiliation: 5902 Roi René, Anjou, QC H1K3E7 Montréal, Canada.
authors.forename: Rabiha
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Seboussi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002162:Camelus; D002417:Cattle; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D012643:Selenium / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D012643:Selenium