Selenium protects interneurons in the brain

A team led by Dr. Marcus Conrad, research group leader at the Institute of Developmental Genetics (IDG) at Helmholtz Zentrum München, showed for the first time why selenium is a limiting factor for mammals. The scientists have been investigating for years the processes of a novel type of cell death, known as ferroptosis. The enzyme GPX4, which normally contains selenium in the form of the amino acid selenocysteine, plays an important role.

In order to better understand the role of GPX4 in this death process, they established and studied mouse models in which the enzyme was modified.In one of these models, they observed that mice with a replacement of selenium to sulfur in GPX4 did not survive for longer than three weeks due to neurological complications.

In their search for the underlying reasons, the researchers identified a distinct subpopulation of specialized neurons in the brain, which were absent when selenium-containing GPX4 was lacking.
Furthermore, the scientists were able to show that ferroptosis is triggered by oxidative stress, which is known to occur for instance during high metabolic activity of cells and high neuronal activity.

 Selenium-containing GPX4 protects these specialized neurons from oxidative stress and from ferroptotic cell death. Selenoenzymes are essential in some organisms, including mammals, whereas they are dispensable in other organisms, such as fungi and higher plants.
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Lactation hormone and mother's brain

The hormone that stimulates milk production for lactation, also acts in the brain to establish the nurturing link between mother and baby. The researchers found that signalling by the hormone prolactin to its receptors in a specific brain region is essential for mothers to show maternal nurturing behaviour towards their children.

Prolactin is best known for its role in enabling milk production in mammals.
Researchers undertook targeted deletion of prolactin receptors in the preoptic area of the brains of adult female mice.

These mice without prolactin receptors were able to get pregnant and give birth normally, but abandoned their children after birth, this establish a critical role for prolactin for more than milk production.

This shows that prolactin hormone is a literal life saver by establishing normal parental care that ensures offspring survival. Disruptions in the ability of prolactin to communicate in the brain could lead to problems for mothers establishing a bond with their baby.
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Swimming condition in the uterus and fertility

Before conception can take place in mammals, the semen and the egg must be in good condition. Male and female mammals have to contribute to conception before it can take place.

Researcher in Washington State University has found that uterus in female mice has enzymes that can break semen into watery form and make it easier to swim for conception to take place.

Female mice produce the enzyme using estrogen to cause the process of breaking down the semen. Lack of gene to induce the process will leads to failure of the semen in the uterus.