Effect of Growth Phase on Deposition of Selenium (Se) in Tissues of Rats Fed Elevated Dietary Levels of Se as Either L-Selenomethionine or Sodium Selenate

The study investigated the effect of growth on selenium (Se) deposition in various tissues, including hair and nails, of adult and weanling rats fed elevated dietary levels of Se in the form of L-selenomethionine or sodium selenate. It highlighted the importance of using noninvasive tissues like hair and nails to assess Se status, as these tissues reflect the large body pools of Se found in the liver and skeletal muscle. The research aimed to address the limited understanding of how dietary and physiological factors influence Se levels in hair and nails, building on previous findings that these levels are affected by the form and amount of dietary Se.