Selenoproteins in fish development

Recent findings illustrate the selenium role in vertebrates embryogenesis but little is known about expression patterns and biological functions of selenoproteins. This work analysed the selenoprotein glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in seminal fluid and eggs, in developing embryos and during larval development of sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax. GPx was found in seminal fluid, in eggs before and after fertilization, in embryos during development, at hatching and during larval development. The content was very low in segmentation and organogenesis whereas increased at the end of embryogenesis and in larval development. This study provides evidence on how selenoproteins as GPx exert an antioxidant defense in sea bass development.