TISSUE SELENIUM CONTENT OF THE GROWING PIG

Abstract

Selenium retention studies were made on a group of 86 pigs, ranging in weight from 10 to 132 kg. The animals were raised under a natural selenium environment in which the creep ration contained 0.69, grower–finisher ration 0.34, and the sow ration 0.46 ppm of Se on an air-dry basis. The Se content of the drinking water was 0.41 ppb. Selenium was determined in two body compartments: the offal, comprising internal organs, feet and head; and the second compartment, the dressed carcass. The average Se content per kg of offal was 189.4 ± 8.05 μg (SE), 142.2 ± 5.50 μg per kg of dressed carcass and 152.1 ± 5.30 μg per kg of warm empty body. On the basis of total protein in the empty body, (comparable to fat-free dry muscle) the Se content was 1,029.8 ± 36.0 μg per kg. On a fat-free basis, (comparable to fat-free fresh muscle) the Se content was 214.4 ± 7.60 μg per kg. Sex differences in Se content were not significant. Based on present National Research Council–National Academy of Sciences estimated requirements, the natural Se environment in this study represents a nontoxic nutritional level which is surplus to physiological requirements. The selenium levels reported are considered to represent "normal" physiological levels, resulting from an adequate, natural Se environment.