EFFECT OF HUMIC ACID AND SELENIUM SUPPLEMENTATION ON IMMUNITY AND PERFORMANCE OF NEWBORN CALVES

Abstract

Forty newly born male Holstein calves were distributed randomly into four treatments (n=10) to receive no additive (control), Se (2.3mg/head/d), Humic acid (HA, 15 g/head/d), HA + Se (15 g HA+2.3 mg Se/head/d) to evaluate the effect of treatments on calves performance, serum IgG concentration and some blood parameters. Calves received their respective treatments for four consecutive days after birth as treatments were mixed with colostrum and blood samples were taken at 12, 24, 48 and 72 hrs. after birth and biweekly until 75th day of life. Treatment had no effect on ADG, feed intake or weaning weight. Se and or HA had no effect on IgG concentration at 48 hrs. Se treatment increased (P<0.05) serum TP and HA reduced (P<0.05) serum TP compared to control and HA+Se. All treatments (Se, HA, HA+Se) increased (P<0.05) serum Alb concentration compared to control. Se supplementation increased (P<0.05) Glob concentration, however HA+Se reduced (P<0.05) Glob. Therefore HA+Se and HA had the higher A/G ratio compared to Se and control. Treatments had no effect on serum glucose (G). Se increased (P<0.05) G whereas, HA and HA+Se reduced (P<0.05) G significantly compared to control. Treatments with HA and HA+Se decreased (P<0.05) serum urea compared to control, whereas HA and increased (P<0.05) serum cholesterol but HA+Se group had the least cholesterol concentrations. All treatments reduced (P<0.05) serum TG compared to control. Se supplementation increased TP, Glob and G contrary to HA effect. More research is needed to evaluate the effect of Se and HA in animal health and performance.