Graduation date: 1991

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1964. / Typescript. Vita. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 129-136).

To investigate the whole body metabolism of selenium (Se), isotope kinetic studies were undertaken in which indwelling catheters were implanted in the jugular veins of pregnant and nonpregnant ewes as well as the inferior vena cava and saphenous veins of 110-120 day (d) old ovine fetuses. A single injection of ⁷⁵Se-sodium selenite was administered and blood samples were obtained at various times. A 5 d Se balance trial, which commenced on the day of tracer experiment, was also undertaken. The plasma ⁷⁵Se specific activity data were used for determining the kinetic parameters of Se metabolism and the placental transfer rates. Using the Se balance and tracer data the net absorption and the fecal losses of Se were calculated. The fractional rate constants and T½ Se utilization in individual tissues were estimated by sacrificing the ewes and the fetuses at different times after the tracer injection and determining the tissue ⁷⁵Se specific activities. The effect of Se deficiency on the kinetics, placental transfer, net absorption and tissue metabolism was studied in a similar manner by feeding the ewes with Se deficient rations. The mean plasma Se concentrations in the positive nonpregnant and pregnant ewes were 142 187 ng/ml and were significantly higher than Se and the corresponding values (82 and 69 ng/ml) in the Se deficient ones respectively. The plasma Se levels in the Se positive fetuses (46 ng/ml) were not significantly different from the deficient ones (53 ng/ml). The irreversible disposal (ID) rates of Se were 7 ug/d/kg body weight (B.W.) in both nonpregnant and pregnant ewes, whereas, these values declined to 2 ug/d/kg B.W. under deficiency conditions. The ID values in the Se positive and deficient fetuses were 20 and 11 ug/d/kg B.W. respectively. These results indicated that the plasma Se turnover was lower in Se deficient animals than in the positive ones and that the fetuses had a higher turnover than adult ewes irrespective of the maternal Se status. Values for net Se absorption (% Se intake) and fecal Se losses (ug/d) in the Se positive nonpregnant ewes were 51% and 272 ug/d versus 97% and 25 ug/d in the Se deficient ones. The corresponding values for the Se positive pregnant ewes were 56% and 241 ug/d as against 84% and 27 ug/d in the deficient ones. These results suggested that the efficiency of net Se absorption expressed as the percent of Se intake decreased with increasing Se intakes and that the fecal route exerted a homeostatic control on Se metabolism in ewes. The tissue Se concentrations were significantly higher in the Se positive animals than in the deficient ones, whereas, the tissue fractional rate constant values were higher in the Se deficient animals than in the positive ones. These results implied that the tissue Se concentrations were significantly decreased under Se deficiency conditions and that the Se turnover was higher in tissues when the dietary Se intake was minimal. The placental transfer studies showed that there was a bidirectional exchange of Se across the placenta. The placental Se transfer rates from ewe to fetus declined from 53 ug/d in the positive ewes to 29 ug/d in the deficient ones. The rate of Se transfer from fetus to ewe also decreased from 24 ug/d in the positive ewes to 12 ug/d in the deficient ones. The net placental Se transfer was found to be reduced under conditions of decreased maternal dietary supply. The nutritional implications of Se status of the pregnant ewes on the availability of the trace mineral to the fetus have been discussed. / Land and Food Systems, Faculty of / Graduate