The Role of Selenium in the Placental Transfer of Vitamin E in the Rat ∗

Abstract

Summary

Transfer of tritium-labeled α-to-copherol across the placental membrane was significantly lower (p<0.005) in rats receiving dietary selenium supplementation than in a selenium- and vitamin E-deficient group. Approximately equal fetal uptake of radioactivity was observed in groups receiving either supplementary selenium or vitamin E, while the lowest placental transfer occurred in rats receiving coincidental dietary supplementation with both selenium and vitamin E. Whether these differences in transfer of α-to-copherol to the fetuses relate to a sparing effect of selenium for vitamin E in the fetal tissue, or are due to variations in the amount of maternal tissue retention of the administered dose, thus limiting the amount available for fetal uptake, remains to be determined.