Effects of selenium on the development of chick embryonic brain

Objective: To investigate the effect of selenium supplementation on the brain development, the effects of selenium on activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and deiodinase (ID II), and the expression of growth-associated protein (GAP-43) in chick embryo brain. Methods: Normal chick embryos of 8 days old were injected with MSeC of different concentrations (containing 0, 1, 5, 10, 20, or 40 μg selenium), and were sacrificed on the 20th day. The selenium concentration, GPx and ID II activities in brain was assayed, and the expression of GAP-43 was detected. Results: MSeC increased the content of selenium, activities of GPx and the expression of GAP-43 in chick embryos brain. MSeC dosage correlated well with the selenium concentration and GPx activities in brain (P < 0.01), but not with the ID II activities in brain. Conclusion: MSeC can effectively increase the content of selenium, GPx activity and GAP-43 expression in tissues of chick embryos brain, but selenium supplementation don't affect ID II activities in brain. Supplying proper selenium to normal chick embryos may improve the development of brain.