Selenium supplementation of young red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Area of Science:

• Animal Nutrition
• Trace Mineral Research
• Veterinary Science

Background:

• Red deer calves grazing on low-selenium pastures (30-57 ppb) may be at risk for selenium deficiency.
• Selenium is crucial for antioxidant function, particularly via glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx).
• Understanding selenium's impact on young ruminants is vital for herd health management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of oral and injected selenium supplementation on red deer calf growth and blood selenium status.
• To assess the correlation between blood selenium concentrations and glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx) activity.
• To observe seasonal variations in GSHpx levels in unsupplemented red deer calves.

Main Methods:

• Two-year supplementation trials involving 70 red deer calves (3-15 months).
• Comparison of periodic oral selenium doses, single barium selenate injection, and no supplementation.
• Measurement of body weight, whole blood selenium, and whole blood GSHpx concentrations.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in weight gain were observed between supplemented and unsupplemented groups.
• Selenium supplementation significantly elevated blood selenium and GSHpx levels.
• A strong positive correlation (r=0.9278) was found between blood selenium and GSHpx levels.
• Unsupplemented calves exhibited seasonal GSHpx fluctuations, declining in winter and rising in spring/summer.

Conclusions:

• Selenium supplementation effectively increases blood selenium and GSHpx concentrations in red deer calves.
• Growth rate was not influenced by the tested selenium supplementation protocols under these conditions.
• Seasonal factors significantly impact GSHpx levels in red deer calves, independent of supplementation.