Abstract:

The aim of this study was to compare the activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and total and selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (total GSH-Px and Se-GSH-Px) in the liver of wild boars (Sus scrofa) selected from a selenium-deficient area with respect to season of the year, sex, and age. Only season had a significant effect on liver Se content. Liver selenium concentration in the wild boars was highest in spring (0.292 µg/g wet weight) and lowest in winter (0.185 µg/g wet weight) (P < 0.05). The highest mean activity of total GSH-Px, Se-GSH-Px, and CAT (404.0, 309.9, and 1170.0 U/mg protein, respectively) was found in the spring season, and the respective highest mean activity of SOD was found during autumn (31.5 U/mg protein). Females showed markedly higher mean activities of total GSH-Px (388.2 and 314.7 U/mg protein) and CAT (1151.0 and 765.8 U/mg protein) compared to males. In comparison to other groups of animals, those aged between 1 and 1.5 years were characterized by higher mean activity of total GSH-Px and Se-GSH-Px, and those over 2 years of age showed higher activity of CAT and SOD. The analysis showed that the strongest oxidative stress and the greatest risk of peroxidative damage to the liver occurred during the winter.

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