Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element important for animal health and production as it reduces DNA and cell damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Many of the antioxidant functions of Se occur through selenoproteins, such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx). With all the many different Selenium sources on the market, why use a Se-proteinate source?

1. The moderate production of ROS is critical for regulating important cellular functions. ROS also plays a role in several normal processes related to immune response (Sordillo, 2013).
2. Excessive ROS accumulation causes oxidative stress. As a result, it is important for antioxidants to maintain the balance between ROS production and ROS removal (Sordillo, 2013).
3. GPx acts to prevent/suppress the formation of molecules that has the potential of developing into a ROS or induce the production of ROS (Ighadaro and Akinloye, 2018; Kurutas, 2016).
4. GPx is selenium-dependent and is present in many cells within the body (Ighodaro and Akinloye, 2018; Kurutas, 2016).
5. Se, in the form of selenophosphate, is incorporated into GPx with serine (not cysteine) which activates GPx activity (Sunde & Hoekstra, 1980; Sunde & Evenson, 1986).
6. Leeson et al. (2008) showed that Se-proteinate accumulates in the lipid-fractions, such as egg yolk, rather than muscle. This indicates that a Se-proteinate travels a different metabolic route compared to other Se types.
7. Se from B Traxim Se is protected in a protein capsule rather than being incorporated inside a side chain, resulting in a different metabolic pathway (Dos 1744, Pancosma Service Report).
8. Se-proteinate is readily incorporated into GPx-4, which targets lipid metabolism. This may lead to a reduction in oxidative stress caused by lipid ROS (Dos 2046. Pancosma Service Report).
9. Se from B Traxim Se is readily available to the animal body to be used during times of stress, rather than being stored in muscle tissue (Leeson et al., 2008).
10. The immune system relies heavily on ROS production to limit pathogen replication and maintain its function. Se is important in preventing the overproduction of ROS (Dalgaard et al., 2018; Spears, 2000).
11. Recently more work has been conducted looking into the role of Se on maintaining the stability and integrity of DNA and the expression of that DNA, as ROS can damage DNA (Ferguson et al., 2012).
12. The role of oxidative stress and Se on the expression of DNA in progeny and the impact on performance is also being explored (Choucair et al., 2018; Wyck et al., 2018).

Se plays a critical role in the animal body, with some functions only just being explored. Se-proteinate is not stored in animal muscle, as a result, it is readily available to be incorporated into GPx, resulting in a better more efficient response to ROS accumulation and stress.