Selenium in Animal Nutrition
Selenium is an essential trace element for animal nutrition, as it plays a crucial role in many physiological functions. Selenium is required for the proper functioning of the immune system, reproduction, and thyroid metabolism. However, selenium can be toxic in high concentrations, leading to selenosis. Therefore, it is essential to provide animals with the right amount of selenium in their diet, which can vary depending on the species, age, and production stage.
Nanotechnology has provided numerous possibilities and improvements in many fields. In the area of animal mineral nutrition, selenium nanoparticles have become the focus of interest of many scientists, especially due to the premise that the boundary between their toxicity and therapeutic effect is wider than in comparison to inorganic or organic selenium.
Our research direction is to explore the effects of nanoselenium and define its toxic effects. Selenium as such, and in its nanoform, is a promising antioxidant that has the potential to improve pig feeding.
NanoSelenium
Projects: 2016 – 2016 Effect of selenium on quality of plant and animal production. IGA Mendelu. (principal investigator Pavel Horky
2020 – 2022 Influence of selenium and vitamin E in wagyu hybrids on reproductive properties and meat performance. TAČR Zéta TJ04000198 (co-investigator Svetlana Malyugina and Pavel Horky)
2023-2024 Green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles via medicinal African plants. IGA, Mendelu (principal investigator Pompido Chilala)
Research outcomes: Certified methodology: Methodology of the elimination of thermal stress in monogastric animals using dietary selenium, 2018
Selenium nanoparticles as a nutritional supplement, Nutrition, 2017
Antioxidant status of rats’ blood and liver affected by sodium selenite and selenium nanoparticles, PeerJ, 2018
Effects of Sub-Lethal Doses of Selenium Nanoparticles on the Health Status of Rats, Toxics, 2021
Uses of Selenium Nanoparticles in the Plant Production, Agronomy 2021,
Biogenic Selenium Nanoparticles in Animal Nutrition: A Review, Agriculture, 2021
Toxicological effects of nanoselenium in animals, Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology, 2022