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Organic and inorganic selenium: II. Transfer efficiency from ewes to lambs
W C Stewart1, G Bobe, W R Vorachek
1Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis 97331, USA.
Journal of Animal Science
|October 4, 2011
Summary
Organic Se-yeast supplementation in ewes significantly improves selenium (Se) transfer to lambs compared to inorganic Na-selenite. This enhanced Se status in lambs is crucial for preventing Se-deficiency diseases.
Area of Science:
- Animal Nutrition
- Trace Mineral Metabolism
- Reproductive Physiology
Background:
- Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element vital for preventing Se-deficiency diseases in livestock.
- Efficient transfer of Se from ewes to their lambs is critical for neonatal health and development.
- Understanding the impact of different Se chemical forms on maternal-fetal transfer is key for optimizing supplementation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of different chemical forms of selenium (Se) administered to mature ewes on the Se status of their lambs.
- To compare the efficacy of organic Se-yeast versus inorganic sodium selenite and selenate in transferring Se from ewes to lambs.
- To determine the impact of varying supplementation rates (recommended and supranutritional) on Se transfer efficiency.
Main Methods:
- 240 mature ewes were divided into 8 treatment groups, receiving weekly drenches of no-Se, Na-selenite, Na-selenate, or Se-yeast at recommended or supranutritional dosages for one year.
- Selenium concentrations were measured in ewe colostrum, milk, whole blood, serum, and lamb skeletal muscle at various time points.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare Se concentrations across different treatment groups and dosages.
Main Results:
- Weekly Se supplementation increased Se concentrations in ewe colostrum and milk, and improved lamb Se status at birth and 14 days of age.
- Se-yeast supplementation resulted in significantly higher Se concentrations in lacteal secretions and subsequently in lambs compared to Na-selenite.
- Lambs from ewes supplemented with supranutritional Se-yeast showed continuously increasing Se concentrations, unlike those from ewes supplemented with Na-selenite.
Conclusions:
- Weekly oral drenching with organic Se-yeast is a more efficient method for transferring selenium from ewes to lambs than inorganic Na-selenite.
- Se-yeast supplementation, across a range of rates, enhances lamb Se status more effectively than inorganic forms.
- These findings support the use of organic Se-yeast for optimizing selenium transfer and preventing deficiency in lambs.
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