Abstract

Abstract Selenium (Se) is known as a micro essential mineral that acts as a component of the powerful antioxidant enzymes as known glutathione peroxidase. However, both excess and deficiency of Se can lead to health problems in swine, thus the proper amount is needed. In the swine industry, organic and inorganic forms of Se are commonly added to the feed, mixing these Se is important to maximize the efficiency of Se utilization. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary mixed Se supplementation on growth performance, frequency of diarrhea, and blood profiles and biochemical constituents of weaned pigs. A total of 156 weaned pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc; 7.85 ± 0.10 kg of initial body weight (BW); 28 days of age] were assigned to 3 dietary treatments (4 pigs/pen; 13 replicates/treatment) in a randomized complete block design (block = initial BW and sex) for 6 weeks. Dietary treatments were 1) a corn- soybean meal-based diet with deficiency of Se (CON), 2) CON + 0.15 ppm organic Se (Ose) + 0.15 ppm inorganic Se (Ise; A), and 3) CON+ 0.25 ppm Ose + 0.25 ppm Ise (B). On day 7, 14, and 42, blood samples were collected from randomly selected 6 pigs per treatment to analyze blood profiles and biochemical constituents. Average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and gain to feed ratio were calculated to evaluate growth performance. The frequency of diarrhea was calculated by visual observation for 2 weeks after weaning. The number of white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were measured using an automated hematology analyzer. The collected serum samples were analyzed for total protein (TP), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) using a specific kit and a clinical auto-analyzer. Data were analyzed using GLM procedures of SAS. The experimental unit was a pen. The statistical model for growth performance, and blood profiles and biochemical constituents included dietary treatment as a main effect and initial BW as a covariate. The Chi-square test was used for analyzing frequency of diarrhea. The A treatment decreased (P < 0.10) MCH, HGB, HCT, and BUN on day 42 compared with CON, but increased (P < 0.05) TP on day 42. However, there were no differences on growth performance and frequency of diarrhea. In conclusion, supplementation of dietary mixed Se could modulate blood profiles and biochemical constituents.

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