Skip to main content
Article
Evaluation of Respiratory Elimination Kinetics of Selenium after Oral Administration in Sheep
American Journal of Veterinary Research
  • A. K. Tiwary
  • K. E. Panter, Utah State University
  • B. L. Stegelmeier
  • L. F. James
  • Jeffery O. Hall, Utah State University
Document Type
Article
Publisher
American Veterinary Medical Association
Publication Date
1-1-2005
Disciplines
Abstract

Objective—To evaluate the respiratory excretion and elimination kinetics of organic and inorganic selenium after oral administration in sheep. Animals—38 crossbred sheep. Procedures—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 and Clinical Relevance—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).

Citation Information
Tiwary AK, Panter KE, Stegelmeier BL, James LF, and Hall JO 2005. Evaluation of Respiratory Elimination Kinetics of Selenium after Oral Administration in Sheep Am J Vet Res. 66: 2142-2148.