Abstract
ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to compare the effects of two Se sources on the early lactation of native goats, on nutrient digestibility, as well as nitrogen and energy status of Iranian native goats. Twenty-one native goats aged, approximately 41 ± 9 months and having body weights of 46 ± 8 kg were selected for the experiment. The goats were randomly divided into three groups with an equal number of goats. One group was supplemented with Selemax 2000® as the organic selenium (OS), the second group received diluted sodium selenite as the inorganic selenium, while the third group received no supplementation and served as the control group (C). The results of this research showed that the selenium supplement did not have a significant effect on nutrient digestibility (apart from crude fat) (P > .05) but, the dry matter, organic matter and crude protein intake significantly increased. However, faecal N, urinary N, total N production and energy status were affected by the treatments (P < .05). It can be concluded that OS seems to be a better choice, considering the nitrogen and energy available for metabolism and its partition between milk production and deposit/mobilization within the body.
Highlights
The interest in selenium (Se) by nutritionists is as a result of its high concentration in a certain range of plants and the consequent toxicosis in animals that grazed on these plants
Organic source of Se increased more than 25% DM, organic matter (OM) and crude protein (CP) intake when compared to the inorganic source of Se (P < .05)
Apart from crude fat, no significant difference was found for all other apparent nutrient digestibility, as well as total digestible nutrients (P > .05)
Summary
The interest in selenium (Se) by nutritionists is as a result of its high concentration in a certain range of plants and the consequent toxicosis in animals that grazed on these plants. The essential nature of selenium has become the centre of attention, and this element is known to be required by laboratory animals, food animals (including fish) and humans (NRC 1983). Selenium is involved in several biological functions and its supplementation is necessary in farm animals. A group of selenium-dependent enzymes, glutathione peroxidase, thioredoxin reductase, iodothyronine deiodinase, seleno-phosphate synthetase 2, selenoprotein P and different kinds of selenoproteins are involved in the reduction of oxidized antioxidants, scavenging reactive oxygen species, synthesis of thyroid hormones, protection of DNA and proteins from oxidation, redox signals and immune responses (Lu & Holmgren 2009). Dietary Se can be supplemented with the inorganic or organic forms. Due to a different metabolism, inorganic forms are characterized by a lower bioavailability in comparison to the organic forms (Weiss 2005). Se is efficiently transferred to the placenta and prioritized to the fetus (Ghany-Hefnawy et al 2007)
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