Effects of Vitamin E and Selenium on Serum Trace and Major Elements in Horses

Abstract

The combined effects of vitamin E and selenium were studied in native Anatolian horses subject to strenuous exercise. The concentrations of copper, zinc, iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium were determined in serum by atomic absorption spectrometry in two study groups (n = 25 each), one of which served as untreated controls. After exercising the horses by running 1,500 m in about 7 min, only the copper level and the copper/zinc ratio significantly increased (p < 0.05), but the concentrations of calcium, potassium, iron, and magnesium remained unchanged. In horses treated with vitamin E and selenium, the calcium and potassium levels decreased to levels lower than those of untreated controls before and after exercise. The iron levels were not changed by exercise or treatment alone but increased when the horses had been supplemented and exercised. The copper level and the copper/zinc ration increased as a result of exercise in both treated and untreated horses. These changes suggest that supplementation with vitamin E and selenium had an important effect on the serum concentrations of calcium, potassium, copper, iron, and the copper/zinc ratio.

Concentrações de ferro, cobre, zinco e manganês em equinos da raça Puro-sangue Lusitano, antes e após exercício

“…Estudos têm associado a elevação nos níveis de Fe e Cu em equinos da raça PSI (Balarin 2002) e Anatoliano nativo (Yur et al 2008), decorrente do exercício físico. A contração esplênica e a hemoconcentração provocada pela sudorese deve ter promovido a elevação sérica de Fe e Cu observada no presente estudo.…”

“…O interesse em avaliar ferro, cobre, zinco e manganês, relacionando-os com exercício baseia-se no fato de que estes minerais participam do metabolismo oxidativo e destruição dos peróxidos, tendo uma relação estreita na capacidade de oxigenação dos pulmões, no trabalho cardiovascular e no desempenho físico dos animais (Yur et al 2008).…”

Determination of haematological and biochemical parameters of Przewalski horses (Equus przewalski) kept by the Prague Zoo

“…Because of the low number of specimens, differences were not statistically evaluated. Table 9 provides a comparison of concentrations of zinc and copper with values reported for the domestic horse (Grace et al 1999;Ayetkin et al 2010;Yur et al, 2008).…”

The soil-plant-feed transport of selenium and other essential micronutrients in diet of sport and recreational horses at two different locations

“…Similarly, in serum the increased values of Cu after training, with a simultaneous significant decrease of Zn and Mn levels, were observed by Minini et al (2013). Yur et al (2008) tested the effect of Se on nutrient levels in horse serum as affected by exercise. In horses treated with Se, the Ca and K levels decreased to levels lower than those of untreated controls before and after exercise.…”

“…Brummer et al (2013) observed a higher increase of GSH-Px activity in the blood of Se-supplemented horses after preliminary depletion of dietary Se in comparison with the animals regularly fed the Se-adequate diet, suggesting a good potential response of animals in the Sedeficient areas on the supplementation. Yur et al (2008) investigated the effect of intensive exercise on the element levels in horse serum. Among the macro-and micronutrients, only the Cu level and the Cu : Zn ratio was significantly increased, but the concentrations of Ca, K, Fe and Mg remained unchanged in intensively exercised horses.…”