EFFECT OF ACUTE SELENIUM TOXICOSIS ON THE LIPID PEROXIDE STATUS AND THE GLUTATHIONE SYSTEM OF BROILER-CHICKENS

The effect of acute oral selenium toxicosis on the rate of lipid perox idation, on the amount of reduced glutathione as well as on glutathion e-peroxidase activity of the blood (plasma and red blood cells) and li ver was studied in broiler chicken. Cockerels (28-day-old) were treate d with selenium (4.85 mg/kg b.w.) administered intraoesophageally in t he form of sodium selenite. Samples were at the onset of clinical sign s (3 h after treatment) and 2 and 4 h thereafter. The malondialdehyde content of the blood plasma rose significantly (P < 0.05) at the onset of clinical symptoms but decreased later. Malondialdehyde content of the liver was higher than the control value at the first sampling (P < 0.01) and steadily increased later. Reduced glutathione content did n ot change significantly in the blood plasma and liver. Glutathione per oxidase activity of the RBC was significantly elevated (P < 0.01) only at the first sampling (3 h after treatment) and decreased to the cont rol level thereafter. Acute oral selenium toxicosis increases the rate of lipid peroxidation in a short period of time (7 h) without exertin g a significant effect on the glutathione system.