Abstract
The present work is an attempt to study the level of selenium in (63) samples of human breast milk which were collected in Tikrit region. The concentrations ranged (27.4 - 22.8 mg/L), while the concentration in (143) samples of commercially available infant formula sold in Iraq the concentration was ranged (33.6-22.2 mg/L). From (124) samples animal milk the concentration ranged (22.0- 12.0 mg/L). Selenium content of the samples was determined by atomic absorption – hydride generation. The mean concentration of selenium in the topsoil and subsoil was (0.17, 0.21 mg/kg) , which determined by Graphite Flameless Atomic Absorption spectroscopy. Selenium is an integral part of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, a long with vitamin E –Se acts as a part of anti-oxidant defense system of cell protecting lipids in cell membranes from the destructive effects of H2O2 and super oxide generated by excess oxygen. in the same mothers, was detected by HPLC, And the level of this vitamin was ranged between (0.82-1.13 µg/dL).