Effect of Long-Acting Selenium Preparation on Health and Productivity of Sheep.

Justyna Błażejak-Grabowska,Stanisław Milewski,Katarzyna Ząbek,Katarzyna Żarczyńska,Jan Miciński,Roman Wójcik,Przemysław Sobiech

doi:10.3390/ani12020140

Justyna Błażejak-Grabowska, Stanisław Milewski + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12020140

Copy DOI

Abstract

Simple SummarySelenium (Se) plays an important role in many biological functions, especially in the immune system. We studied the effects of injectable Se supplementation on the immune status, blood parameters, body weights and average daily gain of lambs. The results of the study indicate that the Se preparation induced an increase in the values of the parameters of both non-specific and specific immunity. Lambs from the experimental group achieved higher body weights and daily gains. The present findings can contribute to a better understanding of the biological functions of Se and improve the efficacy of this mineral in livestock production.The aim of this study was to determine the effects of long-acting selenium (Se) preparation in sheep. The experimental material comprised Skudda ewes and their lambs. The animals were divided into two equal groups: C-control, and E-experimental. Between days 70 and 80 of pregnancy, group E ewes were injected with Se preparation (Barium Selenate Injection, BVP Animal Care, Ireland) at f 1 mL/50 kg body weight. Hematological, biochemical and immunological blood parameters as well as Se levels were analyzed in ewes. The growth rate of lambs, the dimensions of the musculus longissimus dorsi (MLD) cross-section, and fat thickness over the loin-eye area were also determined. It was found that barium selenate stimulated the mechanisms of humoral and cellular immunity. The injection was an effective form of Se supply, which was confirmed by its increased concentration in the blood serum of lactating ewes. The offspring of the experimental ewes were characterized by a faster growth rate, and they achieved significantly higher body weight (p ≤ 0.05) at 100 days of age. The lambs also had significantly higher parameters of MLD (p ≤ 0.05) at similar carcass fat content.

Highlights

Selenium (Se) is a trace element and its major biological form is the amino acid selenocysteine, which is an integral component of the active sites of certain selenoproteins responsible for the bioactivity of Se [1]
The current study revealed an improvement in the Se status of ewes administered barium selenate in the 3rd month of pregnancy, which is consistent with the results obtained by Milewski et al [30] in a study of Pomeranian sheep
The present study revealed a beneficial influence of barium selenate supplementation in ewes on the meat performance of their offspring

Summary

Introduction

Selenium (Se) is a trace element and its major biological form is the amino acid selenocysteine, which is an integral component of the active sites of certain selenoproteins responsible for the bioactivity of Se [1]. Plants are the richest source of this microelement for ruminants [2]. The Se content of plants is determined by its distribution in the soil and phytoavailability [2]. It may occur in the environment in various oxidation states, including selenates (Se VI and IV), selenides, and elemental Se [4]. The bioavailability of Se in ruminants can be limited by factors such as increased dietary sulfur intake and increased concentrations of cyanogenic glycosides in certain legumes (clover, flaxseeds) [5]. Microorganisms colonizing the rumen decrease Se bioavailability by reducing selenite to non-absorbable elemental Se, which is afterwards excreted with feces [5]

Objectives

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion