We have previously shown that mRNA expression of key antioxidant selenoproteins (Gpx1, Gpx3, Trxr1 and Trxr2) was decreased in maternal tissues during the period of selenium deficiency [15], but that six-month-old offspring of selenium-deficient dams had similar expression levels compared to offspring from normal selenium mothers. The gene discussed is TXNRD1; the disease is selenium deficiency.