Effect of organic selenium on blood progesterone, metabolites, milk yield and service period of Jersey cows

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of yeast based organic selenium (Se) on post-partum progesterone concentration, blood metabolites, service period and milk yield. Dairy Jersey cows (n=15) having almost similar body weight, age, parity and body condition score were divided into three groups of equal number. One group served as a control that was given no Se supplementation. Second and third groups were supplemented with Se at the rate of 0.3 and 0.4 mg/kg of dry matter intake, respectively. The results revealed that after parturition, there was significantly (P<0.05) higher concentration of progesterone in Se treated group of Jersey cows (P<0.05). Week wise, concentration of progesterone in blood increased significantly (P<0.05). There was a decrease in length of service period in Se treated groups. Blood concentrations of glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride increased significantly (P<0.05) on weekly basis. However, these blood metabolites did not change significantly between the control and Se treated groups. Milk yield did not change significantly between the control and Se treated groups. The results of current study indicated that supplementation of yeast based organic Se at the rate of 0.4 mg/kg dry matter intake improved the progesterone concentration and decreased the service period but had no effect on blood metabolites and milk yield.