EN
Experiments were performed on 12 sheep divided into 2 groups and fed a standard diet. The trial group received the same nutritive fodder supplemented with 0.3 ppm of sodium selenite (Na₂SeO3). The concentrations of selenium, triiodothyronine and thyroxine in serum were determined every 4 weeks during 20 weeks, respectively. Oral supplements of sodium selenite increased the serum concentration of selenium in sheep from 0.34 ± 0.19 to 4.25 ± 0.69 μmol/l. Contrary to those in the control group, serum Se content ranged from 0.34 ± 0.08 to 0.36 ± 0.10 μmol/I. Alterations in the metabolism of thyroid hormones showed that supplements of selenium produced an insignificant decrease of thyroxine with a slight increase in triiodothyronine concentration.