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Changes of Lipoamide Dehydrogenase and Mitochondrial Structure in Selenium-Deficient Chicks¹

Department of Poultry Science and Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853

A selenium deficiency in chicks produces degeneration and fibrosis of the pancreas. An investigation was undertaken to determine whether or not the activity of lipoic acid is impaired in the pancreas of selenium-deficient chicks. Enzymatic analyses of selenium-deficient chick tissues showed a reduction in lipoamide dehydrogenase both in pancreas and liver at a very early stage of growth. Using both direct measurements and sucrose-gradient cellular fractionation, it was found that the lipoamide dehydrogenase activity of the supernatant increased, and that of the mitochondria decreased in selenium-deficient as compared to normal chick livers. These results indicate an increased fragility of the mitochondrial membranes in selenium-deficient chicks.

KEY WORDS: • lipoamide dehydrogenase • selenium • mitochondria

¹ Supported in part by U.S. Public Health Service Grant AM17208 and by Hoffmann-LaRoche, Inc., Nutley, New Jersey 07110.

² Present address: Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607.

³ Present address: Department of Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, 00550 Helsinki 55, Finland.

Manuscript received 22 December 1976.