Related Experiment Videos
Selenite and selenium yeast as feed supplements for dairy cows
1Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Uppsala, Sweden.
Zentralblatt Fur Veterinarmedizin. Reihe A
|August 1, 1997
Summary
Organic selenium yeast supplementation in dairy cows maintained blood and milk selenium levels effectively. Higher yeast selenium doses significantly increased selenium concentrations in blood and milk compared to inorganic sodium selenite.
Area of Science:
- Animal Nutrition
- Trace Mineral Metabolism
- Dairy Science
Background:
- Selenium is an essential trace mineral crucial for antioxidant defense and overall health in dairy cows.
- Dietary selenium availability can be influenced by its chemical form, impacting bioavailability and efficacy.
- Ensuring adequate selenium status in dairy herds is vital for productivity and health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the bioavailability and efficacy of inorganic selenium (sodium selenite) versus organic selenium (selenium-rich yeast) in dairy cows.
- To evaluate the impact of different supplementation levels of selenium yeast on selenium status.
- To assess the effect of selenium source and dose on blood, milk, and tissue selenium concentrations, and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity.
Main Methods:
- A 9-month study involving 25 dairy cows divided into three groups.
- Group I: 3.0 mg Se/day as sodium selenite.
- Group II: 3.0 mg Se/day as selenium yeast.
- Group III: 0.75 mg Se/day as selenium yeast.
- Measured selenium concentrations in feed, whole blood, milk, and tissues.
- Assessed erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity.
Main Results:
- 0.75 mg Se/day from yeast maintained blood and milk selenium levels comparable to 3.0 mg Se/day from selenite.
- 3.0 mg Se/day from yeast increased blood Se by ~40% and milk Se by ~100% compared to selenite.
- Glutathione peroxidase activity was not significantly different between selenite and yeast groups.
- Tissue selenium concentrations were marginal to adequate, trending higher with yeast supplementation.
Conclusions:
- Organic selenium from yeast is highly bioavailable and effective in increasing selenium status in dairy cows.
- Lower doses of organic selenium yeast can achieve similar or superior results compared to higher doses of inorganic selenite.
- Selenium yeast appears to be a more efficient source for enhancing selenium deposition in blood, milk, and tissues.