Effects of Nano Selenium on Some Metabolic and Rumen Parameters in Dorper Sheep

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of nano selenium (N-Se) supplementation on some metabolik parameters and rumen fermentation in sheep. In the study, twenty female Dorper sheep, average 60.1±0.44 kg of body weight were used and blood samples and rumen fluid were taken at the end of trial. The animals were randomly divided into two trial groups (n=10). The control animals received the basal ration without Se supplementation, containing a native Se content of 0.06 mg/kg DM. The other sheep were fed the same basal ration supplemented with 3 g/head/day N-Se. Trial were 66 days with 10 days of adaptation to feed and 56 days of feeding period. Serum total protein (p=0.514) and albumin (p=0.126) levels did not change by feeding N-Se. Serum T-cholesterol, triglycerides, AST (p=0.001) and ALT (p=0.030) levels were decreased in the N-Se-treated group when compared with the control. Supplementation of N-Se did not effect ruminal pH values (p=0.792), the molar concentration of acetic acid (p=0.133) and butyric acid (p=0.089), but the ammonia concentration (p=0.001) was decreased, and total VFA concentration (p=0.003) was increased. The ratio of acetate to propionate decreased due to the increasing of propionate concentration (p=0.034). The obtained results indicated that N-Se supplementation positively improved ruminal fermentation and metabolic status. It was concluded that N-Se can be used as an alternatively available selenium source in sheep.