Effects of selenium source and level on the physiological response, reproductive performance, serum Se level and milk composition in gestating sows

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of selenium (Se) source and level on the physiological response, reproductive performance, serum Se level, and milk composition in gestating sows.Methods: A total of 54 multiparous sows (Yorkshire×Landrace) with average body weight (BW), backfat thickness (BF), and parity were assigned to one of five treatments with 10 or 11 sows per treatment using a 2×2 factorial arrangement with one additional treatment in a completely randomized design. Inorganic or organic Se (IS or OS) sources were added to the diet at 0.30 ppm and 0.50 ppm Se. A non-Se-fortified corn-soybean meal basal diet served as a negative control. Treatments were as follows: i) Control: corn-soybean based diet, ii) IS30: control+inorganic Se 0.30 ppm, iii) IS50: control+inorganic Se 0.50 ppm, iv) OS30: control+ organic Se ppm, and v) OS50: control+organic Se 0.50 ppm.Results: At day 21 of lactation, piglet weight and weight gain in the OS treatments were higher than those in the IS treatments (p<0.05). Meanwhile, adding 0.5 ppm Se also resulted in the same significant differences in piglet BW and weight gain (p<0.05). Colostrum and milk Se concentrations increased (p<0.05) with Se level for both Se sources but were greater when sows were fed organic Se (p<0.05). Except for 24 hours postpartum, the Se concentrations were higher when sows were fed organic Se (p<0.05). Sow serum Se content was greater as Se levels increased from 0.3 ppm to 0.5 ppm at day 110 of gestation, 24 hours postpartum and day 21 of lactation (p<0.05). The pig serum Se concentration increased as the dietary Se level increased (p<0.05) and was higher when the sow dietary Se source was organic (p<0.05). Organic Se 0.5 ppm also had the highest serum Se level at two measured points (p<0.05).Conclusion: Consequently, supplementation with organic Se or 0.5 ppm Se in a gestating diet could improve piglet performance, the Se status of sows and piglets and milk composition, but organic Se at 0.5 ppm is optimal.

Short-term effects of dietary selenium on lactating sows to improve litter performance, milk composition and tissue selenium retention in piglets

“…It may be demonstrated that dietary Se levels did not affect milk Se content during the short-term lactation period around one reproductive cycle. Moreover, a report by Jin et al [ 29 ] also proved that despite Se source, dietary Se level could affect milk Se concentration linearly when sows were fed different Se levels (0 ppm, 0.3 ppm, 0.5 ppm) during gestation (long-term period).…”

Maternal Selenium-Enriched Yeast Supplementation in Sows Enhances Offspring Growth and Antioxidant Status through the Nrf2/Keap1 Pathway

“…Previous studies showed that when Se was supplied in an organic instead of inorganic form in a sow diet during gestation and lactation, it could improve the reproductive performance and the Se and redox status in the serum, milk, and offspring [13,18,19]. However, other studies have reported that different dietary Se sources or levels when fed during gestation and lactation had no effect on the reproductive performance, including lactation feed intakes, parturition performance, and litter performances of sows [15,16,20].…”