Selenitetriglyceride-Induced Modulation of Selected Cellular and Humoral Immune Parameters in Kamieniecka Sheep

With the aim to investigate the immunomodulatory potential of selenitetriglycerides (SeTG), a new lipophilic Se (IV) compound, 30 sheep (15 sheep/treatment) were used in a completely random design to receive the SeGT supplement as follows: (1) no SeGT supplement (Control) and (2) daily dosage of 2 mL of SeGT (equivalent to 1 mg Se/kg BW) during the first 7 days of the evaluation, which lasted 28 d. Individually, blood samples were collected on days 0, 14, and 28 to measure and assess parameters of innate cellular and humoral immunity, including respiratory burst activity (RBA) and potential killing activity (PKA) of monocytes and granulocytes, proliferative response of lymphocytes stimulated with ConA (Concovalin A) and LPS (lipopolisaccharidde), lysozyme activity, ceruloplasmin activity, and gamma globulin levels. From the 14th day, supplemental SeTG saw significant increases (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.001) in RBA and PKA parameters, as well as enhanced proliferative responses of lymphocytes compared with controls. Both innate humoral immunity (elevated lysozyme activity) and adaptive humoral immunity (increased gamma globulin levels) were positively influenced (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.01), whereas ceruloplasmin activity remained unchanged. Under the conditions in which the current experiment was carried out, SeGT showed good promise to modulate immunity in a short period (28 d). Further research should explore experiments with a greater number of animals over long-term periods of evaluation under production system conditions.