Effects of organic and inorganic selenium supplementation during late pregnancy on colostrum and serum Se status, performance and passive immunity in Merghoz goats

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effects of organic and inorganic selenium (Se) supplementation during late pregnancy on serum Se status, colostrum, performance and passive immunity in Merghoz goats in Iran. Thirty Merghoz goats (30 ± 3 kg) were given the same basal diet containing 0.11 mg Se/kg DM and were randomly allocated to one of three dietary treatments in a randomised complete block design. Four weeks before the expected kidding, the basal diets were supplemented with 0 (control), 0.3 mg Se/head.day in the form of L-selenomethionin (Se-Met) and 0.3 mg Se/head.day in the form of sodium selenite. Blood samples were collected from the goats in three phases: (1) a couple of days before starting the supplementation; (2) before the expected kidding; and (3) on the day of kidding. Blood samples were also taken from the newborn kids from the jugular vein at birth and 7 days of age. The serum Se and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations, the white blood cells (WBC) and differential leukocyte counts were measured. The reproductive parameters such as the number of kids born per kidding, total weight of kids born per goat mating, the pregnancy period and kid birthweights were determined. The results indicated that the serum Se concentration increased in supplemented goats compared with controls. The Se concentrations also significantly increased in the colostrum of treated goats (P < 0.05). Similarly, serum Se concentrations in kids of treated goats were increased at birth. On the other hand, colostrum and daily milk production were not affected by Se supplementation. Likewise, the change in the mean serum IgG levels was not different among goats and kids (P > 0.05). However, the WBC, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were higher in the kids of goats in the Se-Met group compared with the control group on the day of birth and 7 days of age (P < 0.05). It seemed that Se-Met could have influenced the lamb’s immunity at birth and 7 days of age. By contrast, selenite has not affected the performance and passive immunity in Merghoz goats.

The Effect of Maternal Dietary Selenium Supplementation on Blood Antioxidant and Metabolic Status of Ewes and Their Lambs

“…In agreement with the present study, the addition of Se to the maternal diet increased Se concentration in serum and colostrum of mares and goats [ 40 , 41 ]. Juniper et al [ 13 ], in agreement with the present study, found a significantly higher selenium concentration ( p < 0.001) in the whole blood of lambs after the addition of selenium yeast to their diet.…”

The effect of organic selenium in feeding of ewes in late pregnancy on selenium transfer to progeny

“…Selenium placental transfer was demonstrated by De Toledo and Perry (1985) and Stewart et al (2012) and fetal selenium concentrations have been shown to be greater (Stewart et al, 2012) than corresponding maternal selenium concentrations. Addition of Se to the maternal diet increased Se concentration in both serum and colostrum (Phipps et al, 2008;Slavik et al, 2008;Karren et al, 2010;Kachuca et al, 2013). Hefnawy and Tortoro-Perez (2010) explored the effects of addition of selenium in the diets of sheep before and after birth and concluded that prepartum addition of Se played on active role in maintaining optimal plasma selenium level, while postpartum addition of Se ensured the continuation of milk.…”

Selenium: Role in preserving and improving health and preventing disease

“…Smrt kod trovanja selenom nastaje usled edema pluća ili ciroze jetre 45 . Kod previsokog unosa selena dolazi do redukcije cinka u organizmu i poremećaja odnosa cink/bakar i njihove antioksidantne aktivnosti 46 .…”