Simple Summary
Selenium, as a component of selenoproteins, affects the activity of the immune system and the detoxification of heavy metals from the body, thereby preventing disturbances to homeostasis and the accumulation of toxic metals. This study aimed to assess the selenium content in the gonads of dogs from the Warsaw metropolitan area, taking into account gender, age, and health status in terms of homeostasis disorders leading to pathologies in the reproductive organs of the individuals examined. Higher selenium levels were observed in the gonads of male dogs. The lowest selenium content was found in both males and females in the oldest age group. In dogs with homeostasis disorders, the lowest selenium levels were observed in the ovaries of females with pyometra and in males with atrophic testicles.
Abstract
Appropriate selenium (Se) levels contribute to the weakening of the effects of cellular peroxidation and have a protective function, ensuring the effectiveness of the defense against various diseases. The study aimed to determine the selenium content in the gonads of dogs from the Warsaw metropolitan area, taking into account the influence of gender, health status, and individual. The research material consisted of testicular and ovarian samples obtained from 86 animals during routine surgeries. Selenium content in the samples was determined using fluorometric spectrometry. The mean selenium content in the gonads of all components was found to be 0.43 mg·kg−1 wet weight. In males, it was 0.49 mg·kg−1 wet weight, while in females, it was 0.39 mg·kg−1 wet weight. The lowest selenium concentration was found in animals of both sexes in the group of individuals older than 7 years. In individuals with disturbed selenium homeostasis, 0.34 mg·kg−1 wet weight occurred in the ovaries of females with pyometra, and in males, 0.41 mg·kg−1 wet weight occurred in individuals with testicular atrophy.