Selenium deficiency and animal health

Selenium deficiency and health Since 1957, Schwartz and Flotz first confirmed that selenium can prevent liver necrosis and promote the growth and biological functions of humans and animals. Over the past 50 years, research on selenium biology has expanded significantly, and today, scientists have a deeper understanding of its role and mechanisms in living organisms. In 1973, the World Health Organization classified selenium as an essential trace element for human and animal life. Consuming appropriate amounts of selenium daily is crucial for maintaining good health. Selenium plays a vital role in normal physiological processes, and its deficiency can lead to various health issues and diseases. 1.1 Selenium deficiency and animal health When livestock and poultry lack sufficient selenium, several health problems may arise. Common conditions include: (1) White muscle disease: This condition primarily affects lambs, yaks, and piglets. It is characterized by degeneration and necrosis of skeletal muscles and the heart, with affected muscles appearing pale or white. Pathological changes often involve the skeletal muscles and heart, showing a cooked meat-like color with yellow-white or gray-yellow streaks. The liver may also become swollen, hard, and brittle, with a rough surface and a mottled appearance. (2) Horse endemic proteinuria: A selenium-deficient disease in horses, this condition leads to muscle swelling, heart weakness, brown sputum, and myoglobinuria. Pathological changes include degeneration, hemorrhage, and necrosis in the liver, kidneys, and other organs, along with damage to the heart and skeletal muscles. (3) Camel "swing disease": This disorder causes movement difficulties in camels. Affected animals exhibit stiffness in the hindquarters, difficulty walking, and a swaying gait. They may fall easily, especially when turning sharply, and show head and neck tilting, muscle tremors, and an "eight" step stance. (4) Yak "big belly disease": This condition, common in yaks, is characterized by abdominal swelling due to diarrhea, heart failure, ascites, and pneumonia. Symptoms are similar to those of white muscle disease but with more severe heart failure and frequent complications like pneumonia and pleurisy. (5) Exudative diathesis in chicks: A local selenium-deficiency disease, it causes subcutaneous edema in young chickens. Edema appears in the head, neck, chest, abdomen, wings, and thighs, with yellow or light blue fluid upon puncture. Later stages may include diarrhea, anemia, and lethargy, often leading to death. Embryos may also develop subcutaneous edema, reducing hatching rates. In addition to these major conditions, selenium deficiency can cause diarrhea in young animals, mastitis in cows, reproductive issues, miscarriages, colibacillosis, porcine mulberry heart, reduced fertility, embryo degradation, weakened immunity, lower survival rates in young animals, and slower growth in livestock and poultry. Ensuring adequate selenium intake is essential for maintaining the health and productivity of animals.

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