Glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity is an indicator of selenium status in selenium-deficient individuals. Utilizing polyclonal monospecific antibodies to purified erythrocyte GSHPx, we were able to determine the relationship between enzymatic activity and protein content. In erythrocytes from a selenium-deficient individual who was treated with selenium, and in HL-60 cells grown in the absence of selenium and then returned to selenium-containing medium, there was a direct relationship between enzymatic activity and protein content. Thus, selenium deficiency results not only in a decrease of GSHPx activity, but also in a decrease of GSHPx protein.