Influence of selenitetriglyceride supplementation on selenium blood status and selected hematological and biochemical parameters in camels (Camelus dromedarius)

This study examined the impact of oral supplementation with a new organic selenium preparation (selenitetriglycerides) on the health of camels (Camelus dromedarius). The experiment was conducted on 7 female camels, which were given 240 mg per animal per day of selenitetriglycerides with an oesophageal probe and subsequently monitored for 28 days. Blood samples for tests were collected 10 times (on day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 14 and 28) and the following parameters were determined: the level of selenium, vitamin E, the activity of aspartate transaminase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) and the concentration of total protein, glucose, urea and creatinine. The following hematological parameters were determined in whole blood: white blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin level (HGB), platelet count (PLT) and packed cell volume (PCV). Selenium serum level increased significantly on the second day (from 40.18 µg l-1 to 198.79 µg l-1), peaked on day 7 (514.76 µg l-1) and remained at a statistically significant level relative to the baseline to the end of the experiment. Clinical observations and analysis of the hematological parameters, liver and kidney function parameters did not show any negative effect of selenitetriglycerides on camel health. The results indicate that selenitetriglycerides can be a safe and effective method of selenium supplementation in camels.