Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are fast becoming a key instrument in several applications such as medicine or nutrition. Questions have been raised about the safety of their use. Male rats were fed for 28 days on a monodiet containing 0.5, 1.5, 3.0 and 5.0 mg Se/kg. Se content in blood and liver, liver panel tests, blood glucose, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were analysed. Liver and duodenum were subjected to histopathology examination. The weight gain of rats showed no differences between tested groups. Se content in blood was higher in all treated groups compared to the control group. The liver concentration of Se in the treated groups varied in the range from 222 to 238 ng/g. No differences were observed in the activity of AST (aspartate aminotransferase), ALP (alkaline phosphatase) and TAS (total antioxidant status). A significant decrease in ALT activity compared to the control group was observed in the treated groups. GPx activity varied from 80 to 88 U/mL through tested groups. SOD activity in liver was decreased in the SeNP-treated group with 5 mg Se/kg (929 ± 103 U/mL). Histopathological examination showed damage to the liver parenchyma and intestinal epithelium in a dose-dependent manner. This study suggests that short-term SeNP supplementation can be safe and beneficial in Se deficiency or specific treatment.

BackgroundSelenium is an essential element; however, at higher doses, it can be toxic. Therefore, alternative nanotechnological solutions are required to overcome toxicological issues, rather than conventional alternatives. Nanoparticles show new and promising properties that may be able to suppress toxicity while maintaining the positive effects of selenium on an organism. The aim of the experiment was to determine the influence of sodium selenite and selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) on the antioxidant status of rats.MethodsThe males of the outbreed rat strain Wistar albino were selected as a model organism. Animals were fed different forms of selenium. The control group was given a mixture without selenium addition, whereas other groups were fed a mixture containing sodium selenite, Se-49, and Se-100 SeNPs respectively. The duration of the trial was 30 days.ResultsAnalysis of blood and liver was performed where the concentration of reduced (GSH) and oxidised (GSSG) glutathione, and total selenium content were measured. In the liver, a significant reduction in GSSG was found for all experiment groups. Blood samples showed a significant reduction in GSH and an increase in GSSG.DiscussionThese results show that SeNPs may be an alternative to dietary selenium for animal organisms.

The purpose of the project was to determine impact of added L‑carnitine in feed ration on quality of Duroc boar ejaculate during the summer period (June–September). Temperature in the stable achieved up to 29.9 °C. For the experiment was chosen 24 Duroc boars. Boars were divided into 2 groups: The control group of boars (n = 12) was fed by the basic feed mixture only. The experimental group of boars (n = 12) was supplemented by 500 mg of L‑carnitine/kg of the feed ration. Ejaculate was collected once a week. Monitored parameters were: volume of ejaculate, concentration of sperm, total sperm count, motility of sperm and percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm. L‑carnitine concentration in the ejaculate was monitored as well. Results of the experiment show that supplementation of 500 g of L‑carnitine into boar ration had a positive impact on sperm motility, significant difference between the boar groups by 8.54 % (P < 0.05) and on decreased morphologically abnormal sperm, significant difference between groups by 12.6 % (P < 0.05), and also significant difference in experimental group during the monitoring by 4.06 % (P < 0.05). After biochemical analysis have been found a statistically significant increase in concentration of L‑carnitine in the ejaculate of the experimental group (up to 21.1 μg/ml) and a statistically significant difference between groups (22.0 μg/ml), (P < 0.05).

Background. The aim of the experiment was to determine the influence of sodium selenite and selenium nanoparticles on antioxidant status of rats.Methods. The males of outbreed strain Wistar albino were selected as a model organism. Animals were fed with different forms of selenium. The control group was given mixture without selenium addition, whereas other groups were fed with mixture containing sodium selenite, Se-49 and Se-100 selenium nanoparticles, respectively. The duration of the trial was 30 days.Results. The analysis of blood and liver was performed where concentration of reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione, and the total selenium content were measured. In liver, a significant reduction in GSSG was found in all experimental groups. Blood samples showed a significant reduction in GSH and an increase in GSSG.Discussion. These results show that selenium nanoparticles may be an alternative to dietary selenium for the animal organism. AbstractBackground. The aim of the experiment was to determine the influence of sodium selenite and

Background. The aim of the experiment was to determine the influence of sodium selenite and selenium nanoparticles on antioxidant status of rats. Methods. The males of outbreed strain Wistar albino were selected as a model organism. Animals were fed with different forms of selenium. The control group was given mixture without selenium addition, whereas other groups were fed with mixture containing sodium selenite, Se-49 and Se-100 selenium nanoparticles, respectively. The duration of the trial was 30 days. Results. The analysis of blood and liver was performed where concentration of reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione, and the total selenium content were measured. In liver, a significant reduction in GSSG was found in all experimental groups. Blood samples showed a significant reduction in GSH and an increase in GSSG. Discussion. These results show that selenium nanoparticles may be an alternative to dietary selenium for the animal organism.

The aim of this experiment was to find out, if is it possible to eliminate the impact of heat stress on quality of Duroc boar ejaculate by the addition of complex of antioxidants (Selenium, Zinc, Vit. C and Vit. E) into the basic diet. The experiment was carried out at the station of insemination in Velke Mezirici (Czech Republic) from May to September. For the study were chosen 12 Duroc boars, of approximately the same age and weight, and were divided into two groups. The control group (n = 6) was fed only by basic diet, the experimental group (n = 6) was fed by basic diet with the supplementation of antioxidants in amount: 0.5 mg selenium (seleno-methionine), 70 mg zinc (zinc-methionine), 70 mg vit. E (alpha-tocopherol) and 350 mg vit. C (L-ascorbic acid) per kilogram of basic diet. Monitored parameters of ejaculate was volume of ejaculate (ml), concentration of sperm (10 6 / ml), total rate of sperm (10 9 ), motility of sperm (%) and amount of morphologically abnormal sperm (%). The control group reported slight increase in volume of ejaculate (of 19 %), which is common in summer months. At the same time was the concentration of sperm unstable, during August there was an increase of 15 %, but during September concentration decreased below the initial amount. Motility was around 69 % during whole experiment. There was an increase (of 15 %) in amount of morphologically abnormal sperm, but the result was insignificant. The experimental group had a higher volume of ejaculate, but the diagram of volume of ejaculate was almost the same with the control group. Concentration of sperm increased after the supplementation of antioxidants (of 23 %) and during the experiment decreased only slightly. Motility was about average amount 70 % and was not various during the experiment. In amount of morphologically abnormal sperm there was an increase about 12 %. According to the results, the supplementation of antioxidants had no significant effect on improving of semen quality. But the addition could have a positive effect to stable the parameters of ejaculate.