Effect of selenium supplementation with sodium selenite and selenium nanoparticles on iron homeostasis and transferrin gene expression in sheep: A preliminary study

The present research aimed at evaluating the effects of sodium selenite and selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) on iron homeostasis and the expression of transferrin and its receptor-binding protein genes. Twenty one Lori–Bakhtiary sheep were randomly allocated into 3 groups. Groups 1 and 2 orally received Se NPs and sodium selenite (1 mg kg−1) for 10 consecutive days, respectively. Group 3 served as the control. Blood and sternal bone marrow samples were collected at different supplementation intervals. Various factors such as serum iron concentration, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), and transferrin saturation percent were determined. The expression of transferrin and transferrin binding receptor genes was also studied. Results showed a decreasing trend in serum iron concentration particularly during the early and middle stages of supplementation (0–20 days) with Se NPs or selenium ions. Conversely, the TIBC level increased in sera especially during these periods (0–20 days) in animals that received selenium NPs or selenium ions. Our results also showed that expression of transferrin and its receptor genes was considerably increased during supplementation of the animals by both selenium compounds for 10 or 20 days. After this period, the expression of the mentioned genes significantly decreased, especially in animals that received selenium ions.