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

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of dietary selenium supplementation (organic and inorganic) of late-gestation ewes on blood selenium concentrations and metabolic and antioxidant status indicators in ewes and their lambs. In addition, the efficacy of selenium transfer from ewes to lambs during the suckling period was determined. The study was conducted on 30 Merinolandschaf ewes and their lambs and lasted four months. The feed mixture of the control group (group I) contained no added selenium, while the feed mixture of group II was enriched with 0.3 mg/kg of organic selenium sources and the third group with 0.3 mg/kg of inorganic selenium sources. In ewes and their lambs, selenium supplementation significantly (p < 0.01; p < 0.05) increased selenium concentration, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activity and decreased malondialdehyde concentration compared to the control group. Selenium supplementation had a positive effect on metabolism and hematological indicators in lambs. A positive correlation was found between antioxidant indicators in the whole blood of ewes and lambs. The good transfer of selenium from ewes to lambs was complemented by higher correlation coefficients when the feed mixture was supplemented with organic compared to inorganic selenium.

The Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Probiotic and Postbiotic Yeast Products on Ewes Milk Performance and Immune Oxidative Status

“…Gong et al [22] found increased GSH-Px activity and total antioxidant capacity in dairy cows that were offered 0.3 mg selenised yeast/kg for 60 days as compared to cows fed sodium selenite at the same level. Novoselec et al [51] reported increased GSH-Px and SOD activity and lower MDA levels in the blood of late-gestation Se-fed ewes compared to the unsupplemented ones [52]. Likewise, lower MDA values, higher GSH-Px activity, and higher total antioxidant capacity were reported in the blood of pregnant goats that were supplemented with Se.…”

The role of selenium in reproduction of sheep

“…These data are displayed to promote the investigation Se concentrations are allowed to be consumed, but avoid high doses that lead to toxicity [31] . On the other hand, ewes that are in the late stages of pregnancy may undergo alterations by using Se nutritional supplements, which enhance oxidative stability and elevate the level of glutathione peroxidase in ewes' and lambs' blood [32] . Lambs, as a consequence, produce more growth and have a stronger immune system than dams and lambs from poor Se regions [20] .…”

Effects of various selenium-enriched yeasts, selenomethionine, and nanoselenium on production performance, quality, and antioxidant capacity in laying hens

“…In ewes and lambs, organic Se increased blood Se levels and antioxidant indices to a greater extent than inorganic Se. Organic Se is also readily transferred from ewes to their lambs and promotes the overall health of the latter ( Josip et al, 2022 ). Compared to inorganic Se, then, organic Se more effectively promotes animal growth, development, and production performance, improves meat quality, and enhances the antioxidant capacity of the body.…”