Selenium and other mineral concentrations in feed and sheep's blood in Kosovo

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the concentration of Se and other minerals in sheep and the supplied feed. Four macrominerals (Ca, P, Mg, and S), 7 microminerals (Se, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Co, and Mo), and 2 toxic minerals (Cd and Pb) were analyzed in 69 feed and 292 sheep blood samples from 30 farms in different regions of Kosovo. The samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and mineral concentrations in whole blood were measured to assess their status in animals. Concentrations of the different minerals in feed were found in the following ranges: 1.9 to 9.5 g Ca/kg DM, 0.8 to 3.2 g P/kg DM, 0.8 to 3.2 g Mg/kg DM, 1.0 to 2.8 g S/kg DM, 6 to 82 µg Se/kg DM, 33 to 970 mg Fe/kg DM, 15 to 42 mg Zn/ kg DM, 2.6 to 7.5 mg Cu/kg DM, 26 to 250 mg Mn/kg DM, 0.04 to 0.88 mg Co/kg DM, 0.05 to 0.86 mg Mo/ kg DM, 0.07 to 2.02 mg Pb/kg DM, and 0.02 to 0.19 mg Cd/kg DM. Concentrations of the microminerals analyzed in whole blood were found in the following ranges: 15 to 360 µg Se/L, 190 to 500 mg Fe/L, 1.4 to 3.8 mg Zn/L, 0.3 to 2.6 mg Cu/L, 6 to 243 µg Mn/L, 0.1 to 19.6 µg Co/L, and 1.8 to 66.0 µg Pb/L. Among all minerals, the largest deficiency was found for Se both in feed and sheep blood, with 82% of feed samples and 83% blood samples being inadequate, and its supplementation is necessary. Selenium-supplemented sheep had significantly higher Se concentration in blood than non-supplemented sheep (P < 0.01). In addition, other macro- and microminerals in feed such as P, S, Cu, and Co were at inadequate concentrations at some of the farms, and supplementation may also be needed for these minerals.

Blood serum mineral element concentrations of weaned Montana ram lambs and their relationship with water quality characteristics

“…The results of the current study agree with findings from Ademi et al (2017), who reported no effect of supplementation on whole blood Zn concentrations in eastern Europe. Considerations should include Zn source bioavailability in mineral supplements, because organic sources of a mineral are generally identified as more bioavailable than inorganic sources (Rojas et al, 1995;Spears, 2003).…”

“…Cooperative field studies help producers and scientists understand in-field management practices and responses, specifically, mineral supplementation strategies, trace mineral concentrations in feedstuffs, mineral deficiencies in the animal, and the effects of supplementation on animal status (Dargatz and Ross, 1996;Menzies et al, 2003;Ademi et al, 2017;Keady et al, 2017). Dietary mineral concentrations are often quantified but do not equate directly to animal status, so biological samples must be taken (Dargatz and Ross, 1996;Herdt and Hoff, 2011;Ademi et al, 2017). Serum trace mineral concentrations have their own set of limitations when evaluating status of an animal.…”

“…Thus, efforts to improve precision of supplementation of Se in these areas is warranted (W. C. Stewart, 2016, Montana State University, Bozeman, personal communication). Selenium deficiencies in sheep have been well documented globally, along with low Se concentrations in forages (Dargatz and Ross, 1996;Ademi et al, 2017). Sheep whole blood Se concentrations in Kosovo were positively affected by supplementation, independent of supplementation type including injectable, mineral block, mineral premixes, and feed compounds (Ademi et al, 2017).…”

“…Selenium deficiencies in sheep have been well documented globally, along with low Se concentrations in forages (Dargatz and Ross, 1996;Ademi et al, 2017). Sheep whole blood Se concentrations in Kosovo were positively affected by supplementation, independent of supplementation type including injectable, mineral block, mineral premixes, and feed compounds (Ademi et al, 2017). Greater bioavailability and retention of Se is achieved through organic sources (selenomethionine, selenocysteine) compared with inorganic (sodium selenite, sodium selenite), which should be considered in operations where supplement delivery methods are a challenge (Hall et al, 2009(Hall et al, , 2013Stewart et al, 2012b).…”

The potential of silage lactic acid bacteria-derived nano-selenium as a dietary supplement in sheep

“…Total whole-blood Se in sheep has been reported to range between 0.02 and 0.36 mg/L (Ademi et al 2017). Qin et al (2007) and Cobanova-Boldizarova et al (2008), when supplementing with either Se-enriched LAB or yeast at 0.3 mg Se/kg DM in the diet, recorded concentrations of 0.3 mg/L in the whole blood.…”