Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in ruminants associated to selenium deficiency pathologies

Abstract

Selenium is an essential microelement for animals; an adequate level of this element is necessary in the diet, to maintain health and reproduction. 
Most of the selenium is in the erythrocytes as a component of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px. E.C. 1.11.1.9). This enzyme plays a major role in the cellular antioxidant defense system against oxygen radicals (free radicals), potentially harmful pro-oxidants that are produced during aerobic metabolism. 
In this work the pathogenic mechanisms of selenium deficiencies in ruminants were examined. The inability of the animal to react against peroxidative damage of free radicals in all of these nutritional deficiencies indicates that GSH-Px represents the main functions of selenium in the organism, and it makes this enzyme a very important tool for clinical diagnosis.