Posted: 30th January 2018 | Back to news feed
Dr Helen Warren - Alltech
Selenium is an essential trace mineral required by horses and other mammals for incorporation into numerous proteins found in the body. These proteins have major roles in metabolism, immune function, gene expression and fertility. Therefore, selenium is vital for optimum health and performance, ranging from growth in young horses and its influence on heart function during exercise, to reducing the negative effects of oxidation.
The horse’s overall antioxidant defence is built up from numerous components within the body. Many of these antioxidants are dependent on selenium for their function. The other major role of selenium is in the proper function of the immune system, which can be severely compromised in selenium-deficient animals. Poor selenium status can lead to an inability to mount a sufficient overall response, including response to vaccination.
Selenium deficiency has also been implicated in aspects of both male and female fertility. Retained placenta, endometritis, as well as integrity and function of spermatozoa can also be influenced by selenium status. As well as poor fertility, decreased growth, as well as resistance to cold stress are symptoms of impaired thyroid function that can often be related to selenium deficiency.
Recently, research has shown there may be a potential role for selenium in the physiological processes involved in crib-biting (Omidi et al., 2018). Omidi et al. (2017) indicated that crib-biting appears to be associated with a reduction in antioxidant capacity and evidence from that study suggests that oxidative stress may be involved in the physiological processes associated with crib-biting.
In an extension of this study, Omidi et al. (2018) found that crib-biters had lower levels of selenium in their blood and levels were even lower when the animals were actively crib-biting. These data are the first to evaluate the potential role of trace elements in crib-biting. As selenium is required for the functioning of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase, this study further demonstrates the potential involvement of compromised antioxidant function in crib-biting horses.
Soils selenium levels will ultimately affect selenium content in forages, cereals and cereal bi-products and these will affect selenium status of an animal. Currently, the National Research Council (NRC, 2007) recommends a daily selenium intake of 0.1mg/kg dry matter to prevent deficiency. However, they accept that the requirement for selenium may be higher for optimal function, such as supporting the immune system.
The traditional approach of adding sodium selenite is useful for immediate relief but this inorganic form of selenium, as well as other minerals, is poorly absorbed by the digestive tract and not readily stored in the body, resulting in very low, if any, selenium reserves. Selenium that is absorbed from organic sources, such as selenium yeast, can be incorporated into proteins as storage. This enables the animal to build selenium reserves for times of physiological stress, such as foaling, illness and exercise. Additionally, due to the difference in metabolism and storage of selenium from organic selenium sources (this includes selenium yeast and selenium naturally found in grains and forages) compared with inorganic forms, the potential for toxicity is far less with the former.
Alltech’s Lifeforce contains Sel-Plex, Alltech’s proprietary organic form of selenium yeast manufactured to mimic Mother Nature and is better absorbed, stored and utilised by the animal than inorganic selenium. Supported by more than 18 years of research, SEL-PLEX contributes to healthy antioxidant activity, as well as helping to maintain a healthy immune system.
Selenium is essential to horses and plays important roles in many biological processes, including antioxidant and immune function. Recent research has highlighted reduced antioxidant capacity in crib-biting horses and indicates a potential role for selenium in the biological processes of crib-biting. Effects of supplementation vary with source of selenium so it is crucial to evaluate selenium sources, not only with regards to efficacy but also toxicity.
The Lifeforce Range of all-natural, daily digestive aid supplements from Alltech is designed to benefit horses of every stage of life, from breeding stock to pleasure and performance animals.
For further information visit www.lifeforcehorse.co.uk or telephone 01780 764512.
The Equestrian Index newsfeed is compiled from articles submitted by advertising members and expresses the opinions of those members. Watsons Directories Ltd shall not be held liable for any inaccuracies or mis-statements therein.