Evaluation of serum selenium concentrations in horses from the area of Poland

The objective of the study was to determine serum selenium concentrations in horses from different areas of Poland. Selenium content was analyzed in 50 horses determined fir slaughter spectrofluorometrically using 2,3-diaminonaphthalene (DAN). The study showed that selenium concentration in the serum of the horses averaged 0.029 mu g/ml, ranging from 0.003 to 0.09 mu g/ml. No statistically significant differences were found in selenium concentrations between males and females. Serum selenium concentration averaged 0.031 mu g/ml(0.003-0.087 mu g/ml) in stallions, and 0.029 mu g/ml (0.01-0.09 mu g/ml) in mares. Selenium deficiency was detected in 90 % of the analyzed horses and marginal levels in 10 %. The low serum selenium levels in the horses from Poland suggest that these animals live in selenium deficient areas. It is therefore necessary to monitor selenium levels in the horses and their feeds, and to implement appropriate preventive programs if a deficiency is found.