A Serum Selenium Levels in Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius) Orally Supplemented with Sodium Selenite and a Mixture of Sodium Selenite and Sodium Sulphate

Özet

Deficiency of selenium might occur due to their low intake and impaired bioavailability. No data were available concerning the exact selenium requirements in camels. Selenium and sulphur have similar physical and chemical properties, and a number of studies indicate that increased dietary sulphur reduces the bioavailability of selenium. The present study was carried out on 12 young male and female clinically healthy dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius), 2-3 years old were brought from Sodari area. Camels were housed collectively in one large pen at the animal housing of the Central Veterinary Research Laboratories, Soba, Sudan. They were left for four weeks for adaptation. The experiment was conducted in dry season. Animals were randomly divided into three groups of 4 animals each. The approximate mean weight is 185.28 kg.  A control group, a group drenched daily with 4.4 mg of sodium selenite and a group drenched daily with a mixture of 4.4 mg of sodium selenite and 6 mg sodium sulphate anhydrous for three consecutive months. Blood samples were taken weekly and sera were analyzed. Selenium concentration was determined by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrophotometer. Mean serum selenium levels in the control group were not significantly different at weeks 1, 3 and 8 to 12, whereas the values at weeks 2, 4 to 7 were significantly higher (P<0.05). In the group drenched with sodium selenite, significant differences (P<0.05) were shown. Low levels were observed at weeks 1, 2 and 3, whereas high levels were shown at weeks 11 and 12. Camels in the group drenched with the mixture showed significant differences (P<0.05). Low levels were observed at weeks 1 and 6, whereas high levels were observed at weeks 10, 11 and 12. It was concluded that camels are responsive to selenium supplementation. It could also be the mark of a greater sensitivity to toxicity.

Key words: Selenium, dromedary, camel, Sulphur, serum.