Selenium and glutathione peroxidase levels in lambs receiving feed supplemented with sodium selenite or selenomethionine

Twenty-one 6 months old female lambs were divided into 7 groups and fed a basal diet containing 0.13 mg Se/kg. The basal diet was further supplemented with 0, 0.1, 0.5 or 1.0 mg Se/kg either as sodium selenite or as selenomethionine, and was fed for 10 weeks. Both feed additives produced an increase in the selenium concentration in the tissues analysed. Significant correlations were found between the concentrations of selenomethionine or sodium selenite added to the feed and the subsequent tissue levels. However, the selenium levels seemed to plateau at approximately 0.5 mg Se/kg of supplemented sodium selenite. The total glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity of the tissues increased when the selenium supplementation increased from 0 to 0.1 mg/kg for both selenium compounds. With further increase in selenium supplementation the GSH-Px activity in the tissues plateaued except in the blood where the activity continued to rise with increasing selenomethionine supplementation. The selenium dependent GSH-Px activity in the liver rose with increasing selenomethionine supplementation, but approached a plateau when 0.1 mg Se/kg as sodium selenite was added to the feed. The selenium concentration in whole blood responded more rapidly to the selenium supplementation than did GSH-Px activity. The experiment indicates that the optimal selenium concentration in the feed is considerably higher than 0.1 mg Se/kg, and that selenium levels of 1.0 mg/kg in the feed do not result in any risk for the animals or the consumers of the products.Key words: dietary selenium, lambs, selenium concentrations, glutathione peroxidase activities, tissues     

Effect of selenium on sheep lymphocyte responses to mitogens

The effect of selenium (Se) on sheep lymphocyte response to mitogens was studied. In an indoor experiment lambs were fed a basal diet containing 0.13 mg Se kg-1, and supplemented with, respectively, 0.1 or 0.5 mg Se kg-1, either as sodium selenite or as selenomethionine. Enhancement of the proliferative response of lymphocytes to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and concanavalin A was found in lambs following selenium supplementation at the lower levels. The highest dietary selenium content, however, induced decreased mitogen response. Transient increases in lymphocyte response to PHA and PWM by ewes supplemented with selenium was demonstrated in one field study and a combined effect of selenium and vitamin E was seen in another. There was no stimulatory effect on the mitogen response of lymphocytes from sheep supplemented with dietary vitamin E alone.     

Influence of selenium on antibody production in sheep

Three experiments were carried out, using sheep fed a marginally low selenium diet, to study the effect of selenium supplementation on the antibody response to tetanus toxoid and on the serum IgG concentration. Six groups of three six-month-old lambs were fed a basal diet containing 0.13 mg Se kg-1 supplemented with either 0.1, 0.5 or 1.0 mg Se kg-1, as sodium selenite or as selenomethionine. These animals generally showed enhanced antibody response to tetanus toxoid, parainfluenza-3 virus and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, and their total serum IgG concentrations were higher than in unsupplemented control animals although few responses were statistically significant. In two field studies significantly higher titres to tetanus toxoid were detected in ewes injected with 100 mg selenium as barium selenate, although no influence on serum IgG concentrations was detected. Lambs from selenium supplemented ewes had significantly higher titres to tetanus toxoid than lambs from ewes in the control group. Dietary vitamin E supplementation had a similar effect on the antibody response to tetanus toxoid in ewes, though no additive effect was seen when vitamin E was given together with selenium.     

Evaluation of the respiratory elimination kinetics of selenium after oral administration in sheep

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the respiratory excretion and elimination kinetics of organic and inorganic selenium after oral administration in sheep. ANIMALS: 38 crossbred sheep. PROCEDURES: Selenium was administered PO to sheep as a single dose of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 mg/kg as sodium selenite or selenomethionine. Expired air was collected and analyzed from all sheep at 4, 8, and 16 hours after administration. RESULTS: Clinical signs consistent with selenium intoxication were seen in treatment groups given sodium selenite but not in treatment groups given the equivalent amount of selenium as selenomethionine. However, a distinct garlic-like odor was evident in the breath of all sheep receiving 2 to 4 mg of selenium/kg. The intensity of odor in the breath did not correlate with clinical signs in affected animals receiving sodium selenite treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The concentration of selenium in expired air was greater in sheep receiving selenium as selenomethionine than sodium selenite. The concentration of selenium in expired air from sheep receiving high doses of selenium (3 and 4 mg of selenium/kg) was larger and selenium was expired for a longer duration than the concentration of selenium in expired air from sheep receiving low doses of selenium (1 and 2 mg of selenium/kg).     

Selenium deposition in tissues and eggs of laying hens given surplus of selenium as selenomethionine

Forty-eight Norwegian bred White Leghorn chickens were divided into 6 groups and fed a basal diet containing 0.30 mig Se/kg supplemented with 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0 or 6.0 mg Se/ kg in the form of selenomethionine for 18 weeks. A supplement of only 0.1 mg Se/kg induced significantly higher selenium concentrations in breast muscle and eggs, particularly in the egg white. The increase of selenium in the tissue and egg was proportional to the amounts of selenomethionine added to the feed. In the group given 6.0 mg Se/kg, the selenium concentrations in all tissues and eggs analysed ranged from 4.8 to 7.3 μg Se/g. No signs of toxic effects were observed even at the highest intake of selenium. Excess supply of selenium as selenomethionine to chickens was shown to be more potent than sodium selenite in raising the selenium concentration in tissues and eggs. A supplementation up to 10 times the requirement did not increase the levels of selenium in poultry products to such a degree that they could be considered as a potential risk for human consumption.Key words: dietary selenium, laying hens, selenium concentrations, tissues, eggs     

Amelioration of selenium toxicity by arsenicals and cysteine

Young chicks exhibited a 61% reduction in weight gain when a corn-soybean meal diet was supplemented with 15 mg/kg Se provided as Na selenite. The same level of Se provided as selenomethionine depressed weight gain by 32%. Supplementing the high selenite diet with isoarsenous (14 mg/kg As) additions of As2O5, As2O3, phenylarsonic acid, phenylarsine oxide and roxarsone ameliorated the Se-induced growth depression: As2O5 almost totally restored growth rate; As2O3, phenylarsonic acid and phenylarsine oxide gave intermediate responses; and roxarsone gave only a small ameliorative growth response. Arsanilic acid was without effect in stimulating growth rate of selenite-intoxicated chicks. Dietary addition of .4% L-cysteine produced a growth response in selenite intoxicated chicks that was somewhat greater than that obtained with roxarsone; administering both roxarsone and cysteine corrected growth better than either compound given singly. Both roxarsone and As2O5 also effectively ameliorated the Se-toxicity growth depression caused by selenomethionine (15 mg Se/kg) supplementation, but cysteine showed no efficacy against morbidity caused by this form of Se. Liver Se concentration was elevated 10-fold by selenite and 25-fold by selenomethionine supplementation. The arsenic compounds had varying effects on liver Se, whereas cysteine tended to increase Se concentration. These findings suggest that both inorganic and organic arsenicals as well as cysteine ameliorate selenium toxicity by different mechanisms.     

LD50 values and selenium concentration in rabbit organs after parenteral administration of sodium selenite and determination of toxicity of urososelevit pro inj]

The LD50-values of sodium selenite after i/m injection to rabbits was determined by means of probit-regression straight line. Simultaneously a combination of vitamin E and sodium selenite was tested for toxicity in order to examine the effect of vitamin E on the selenium toxicity. The LD50/24h was 2.53 mg sodium selenite/kg body mass and in combination with vitamin E (30 IU vitamin E/5 mg NaSeO3) 2.73 mg/kg. Furthermore the selenium concentration was determined in blood, liver, kidney and muscles of animals which died or were killed after 24 h respectively. Not only chemical analysis but also relations of time-dose-efficiency and significantly increased LD50-values show a certain protective effect of vitamin E on selenium intoxication.     

Effects of high selenium intake on selenium status, liver function and claw health of fattening bulls

The effects of three dietary selenium (Se) levels (0.15, 0.35 and 0.5 mg/kg dry matter (dm) and of two Se-compounds (sodium selenite and Se-yeast) on the Se-status, liver function and claw health were studied using 36 fattening bulls in a two-factorial feeding trial that lasted 16 weeks. The claw health was assessed macroscopically and microscopically. Compared to the two control diets containing 0.15 mg Se/kg dm, the intake of the diets containing 0.35 and 0.50 mg Se/kg dm significantly (P < 0.05) increased the Se-concentration in serum, hair, liver and skeletal muscle. Compared to sodium selenite the intake of Se-yeast resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) higher Se-concentration in serum, liver and hair. Concerning the claw horn quality, there was no significant difference between the different groups; the animals receiving organic Se tended to have a better histological score (P = 0.06) at the coronary band than the groups fed with sodium selenite. The serum vitamin E level decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing Se-intake, which had no influence (P > 0.1) on growth and liver function parameters. With the exception of the decrease of the serum vitamin E level indicating an oxidative stress caused by a high Se-intake, no negative effects of dietary selenium exceeding recommended levels for 4 months were observed.     

Effects of riboflavin supplementation and selenium source on selenium metabolism in the young pig

The effect of dietary riboflavin (B2) supplementation and selenium (Se) source on the performance and Se metabolism of weanling pigs was studied. Pigs fed a B2-supplemented (10 mg/kg) casein-glucose diet for 18 d gained faster than pigs fed the B2-unsupplemented diet. Percentage active erythrocyte glutathione reductase (GR) declined rapidly when pigs were placed on the B2-unsupplemented diet and was lower (P less than .01) than that of B2-supplemented pigs after 12 d on test. Percentage active erythrocyte GR values fell below 50% before other B2 deficiency signs became evident. Supplementation of diets with 10 mg B2/kg resulted in increased kidney and muscle glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity. The Se concentration of liver and heart increased and plasma Se levels decreased with dietary B2 supplementation. Riboflavin supplementation and Se source did not alter apparent Se absorption, but B2 supplementation decreased urinary Se and thus increased Se retention. Also, there was less urinary Se excretion when selenomethionine was the dietary Se source and consequently more Se was retained than when sodium selenite was the dietary Se source. In a final trial, B2 supplementation increased kidney, muscle, heart and brain GSH-Px activity when sodium selenite was the dietary Se source, but not when selenomethionine was the dietary Se source.     

Dose response effects of long-acting injectable vitamin B12 plus selenium (Se) on the vitamin B12 and Se status of ewes and their lambs

AIM: To determine the effect of increasing doses of long-acting injectable vitamin B12 plus selenium (Se) given pre-mating on the vitamin B12 and Se status of ewes and their lambs from birth to weaning. METHODS: Four groups of 24 Poll Dorset ewes each were injected 4 weeks pre-mating with different doses of a long-acting vitamin B12 + Se product, containing 3 mg vitamin B12 and 12 mg Se per ml. The treatment groups received 5 ml (15 mg vitamin B12 + 60 mg Se), 4 ml (12 mg vitamin B12 + 48 mg Se), 3 ml (9 mg vitamin B12 + 36 mg Se), or no vitamin B12 or Se (control). Twelve of the twin-bearing ewes per group were selected for the study. Efficacy of the product was evaluated from changes in the concentrations of vitamin B12 in serum and liver, and of Se in blood, liver and milk in the ewes during gestation and lactation, and in their lambs from birth to weaning. Pasture samples in paddocks grazed by the ewes and lambs were collected at about 2-monthly intervals from 200-m transects. RESULTS: The flock was Se-deficient, as the mean initial concentration of Se in the blood of ewes was 182 (SE 20.3) nmol/L. Compared with untreated controls, all doses significantly (p < 0.01) increased concentrations of Se in the blood of ewes for at least 300 days. Selenium concentrations in milk were likewise increased throughout lactation, as were those in the blood and liver of lambs. The mean concentration of vitamin B12 in the serum of ewes was initially > 1,000 pmol/L, but this decreased within 28 days to < 460 pmol/L. Treatment with the 5-ml and 4-ml doses raised serum vitamin B12 concentrations of ewes for at least 176 days (p < 0.01), while their lambs had significantly greater concentrations of vitamin B12 in serum and liver for less than 37 days after birth. Tissue concentrations and duration of elevation of both vitamin B12 and Se were proportional to the dose administered. The mean concentrations of Se and cobalt (Co) in the pastures were 32 and 74 microg/kg dry matter (DM), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Injecting ewes from a Se-deficient flock 4 weeks prior to mating with 48 or 60 mg Se and 12 or 15 mg vitamin B12 increased and maintained the Se status of ewes for at least 300 days, and of their lambs from birth to weaning. The vitamin B12 status of ewes was increased for at least 176 days and that of their lambs for less than 37 days. Due to the proportional nature of the response to increasing dosage, the dose rate of the formulation tested can be adjusted according to the severity of Se and Co deficiency in a flock. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: A single subcutaneous injection of vitamin B12 + Se administered pre-mating to Se-deficient flocks is likely to prevent Se deficiency in ewes and their lambs until weaning, as well as increase the vitamin B12 status of ewes and their lambs until 5 weeks after lambing.     

Interactions between dietary selenium,copper and sodium nitroprusside,a source of cyanide in growing chicks and laying hens

1. Diets containing supplements of selenium (10 mg/kg as sodium selenite), copper (500 mg/kg as copper (II) sulphate) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP 300 mg/kg) as a source of cyanide, were fed singly and in all possible combinations to chicks from 14 to 35 d of age.

2. Both copper and SNP individually alleviated the growth depression caused by excess selenium but interacted adversely with one another. The effect of SNP was to decrease liver selenium but copper increased it. Despite this contrast it is suggested that both achieve their beneficial effects through influences on the fraction of liver selenium that can be reduced to volatile forms by hydrochloric acid and zinc.

3. In a second experiment the effects of diets containing additional selenium (2 mg/kg as sodium selenite or selenomethionine) with or without additional copper (100 mg/kg) or SNP (100 mg/kg) on selenium incorporation into eggs were compared.

4. SNP reduced incorporation from selenite whereas copper had no effect. However, copper reduced the incorporation from selenomethionine into the protein fractions of egg white as much as SNP.     

The effect of different levels of selenium in mineral mixtures and salt licks on selenium status in sheep

This paper describes 3 experiments comparing the effect of 10, 25 and 40 mg Se/kg, as sodium selenite, in mineral mixtures and salt licks fed to sheep. The supplement was given during the indoor season from October to May to 7 different flocks, each consisting of 50 to 100 sheep, in areas with selenium deficiency problems. The average selenium level in the basic diets did not exceed 0.05 mg/kg. Selenium status was monitored in the blood of ewes and lambs, and in milk. Blood selenium in lambs correlated well with blood selenium in their dams (r = 0.85). Selenium levels in milk on day 1 (colostrum) correlated well with selenium levels in dams (r = 0.92) and in offspring (r = 0.87). Statistically significant differences were found between the different flocks. In areas with extreme selenium deficiency, 10 mg Se/kg in mineral mixtures and salt licks proved insufficient. A content of 25 mg Se/kg, providing a daily intake of about 0.4 mg selenium, resulted in selenium levels in ewes’ blood, ewes’ milk and in the offspring that should prevent selenium deficiency disease without causing any toxic effects.     

硒对新城疫免疫雏鸡红细胞免疫粘附功能及增重的影响

150只1日龄雏鸡随机分成5组，第1－4组为加硒试验组，第5组为不加硒对照组。全部鸡饲喂全价饲料（含硒0.18mg/kg），并以饮水方式进行新城疫第一次免疫和第二次免疫，其中第1－4组分别于两次免疫前连续3d以饮水方式给予亚硒酸钠，剂量分别0.25、0.50、0.75及1.0mg/kg。试验结果表明：各组平均血清硒含量变化与给硒剂量相一致；第3组、第4组雏鸡的增重显著或极显著地高于第5组（P＜0.05或＜0.01）；各加硒试验组红细胞免疫粘附功能均较不加硒对照组为高，其中以第3组最为明显。     

Bioavailability to chicks of selenium in barley, oats and meat meal

Day-old White Leghorn chicks deficient in selenium (Se) were fed a low Se basal diet (containing adequate level of vitamin E) for 2 weeks depletion period before they were given the experimental diets containing different levels of Se for 4 weeks. Dietary treatments contained 0.03, 0.06, 0.09 or 0.12 mg Se/kg as sodium selenite, barley, oats, meat meal or their extracted counterparts. Plasma GSH-Px activity was observed at weekly intervals, while the Se concentration of plasma and liver were determined at the end of the study. The biological availability of Se in the test ingredients was measured by the induction of plasma GSH-Px activity. In comparison to sodium selenite (100 %) it was: 77 % for barley, 80 % for extracted barley, 37 % for oats, 62 % for extracted oats, 20 % for meat meal, and 26 % for extracted meat meal. Using the retention of Se in plasma as a criterion, the following biological availability of Se was observed: barley 151 %; extracted barley 102 %; oats 90 %; extracted oats 107 %; meat meal 40 %; and extracted meat meal 47 %. Similarly, the efficiency of the test ingredients in increasing the Se concentration in liver was: barley 82 %; extracted barley 90 %; oats 67 %; extracted oats 98 %; meat meal 26 %; and extracted meat meal 31 %. The greater biopotency of the natural Se sources for increasing the Se concentration of the chick tissues than for inducing the plasma GSH-Px activity in comparison to sodium selenite, indicated that proportionally less amounts of the Se retained in the chick plasma from the natural sources were incorporated into the metabolic active form of Se, i.e., GSH-Px. Therefore, the plasma GSH-Px activity was suggested as the more reliable criterion to be used for the evaluation of the bioavailability of Se.     

Effects of Different Sources and Levels of Selenium on Growth Performance and Tissue Selenium Content of 10～11 months Porcupine

The objective of this experiment was to explore the effects of different sources and levels of selenium （Se） on growth performance and tissue Se content of 10～11 months porcupine.Eighty and 10-month-old porcupine with a similar body weight were assigned to 5 groups with 8 replicates of 2 porcupines each.The porcupine were fed a basal diet without Se complementation （control group） or the basal diet adding 0.30 mg/kg Se in the form of sodium selenite （group Ⅰ）,0.20 mg/kg Se in the form of yeast selenium （group Ⅱ）,0.30 mg/kg Se in the form of yeast selenium （group Ⅲ） and 0.30 mg/kg mixed Se （0.15 mg/kg sodium selenite and 0.15 mg/kg yeast selenium）（group Ⅳ）,respectively.The pre-test period lasted for 7 days and the trial period lasted for 45 days.The results showed that compared with the control group,there was no significant differences in the average daily feed intake （ADFI） in each group （P＞0.05）,the average daily gain （ADG） in groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ was significantly increased （P＜0.05）,the feed/gain （F/G） in group Ⅲ was significant decreased （P＜0.05）.Compared with the control group,the concent of Se in liver and muscle of group Ⅲ was extremely significantly increased （P＜0.01）,the content of Se in liver and muscle of groups Ⅱ and Ⅳ was also significantly increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）,and there was no significant difference in group Ⅰ（P＞0.05）.In conclusion,the basal diet supplemented with yeast selenium could improve the growth performance and increase the tissue Se concent in 10～11 months porcupine,and adding 0.30 mg/kg yeast selenium had the best effect.     

Dietary selenium increases vitamin E contents of egg yolk and chicken meat

1. The influence of different forms of dietary selenium (Se) on vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) and Se contents of egg yolk and chicken meat was investigated. 2. Eggs were collected from laying hens subjected to 4 different dietary treatments after 24 weeks of age. Treatments compared the effects of inorganic Se supplementation (selenite) to those of organic (Se-enriched yeast, Se-enriched alga Chlorella) supplements. In a second experiment the effect of the above organic dietary Se supplementation on the alpha-tocopherol contents of meat from broiler chickens was evaluated. 3. Dietary Se supplementation increased the alpha-tocopherol content of egg yolks from 297 mg/kg dry matter in treatment without supplementation to 311 mg/kg when selenium was supplemented as selenite, and to 370-375 mg/kg when organic supplements were used. The Se and alpha-tocopherol contents of breast and thigh meat in broilers were significantly increased by organic dietary Se supplementation. 4. The inclusion of organic dietary Se sources in the diets of laying hens and broilers would enhance the nutritional value (vitamin E and Se contents) of products (eggs and meat) for human consumption.     

Effect of selenium and vitamin E on antibody production by dairy cows vaccinated against Escherichia coli.

Sixty clinically healthy Holstein cows were randomly assigned to one of four groups according to their age and parity and vaccinated in late pregnancy (day 190) with a multivalent vaccine against Escherichia coli. The 15 cows in the first group (SeE) were injected intramuscularly with a solution of sodium selenite (0.1 mg Se/kg bodyweight) and vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol acetate, 8 U/kg bodyweight), the cows in the second group (Se) received only selenium and the cows in the third group (E) received only vitamin E at the same doses and by the same route of administration; the cows in the fourth group were used as controls. The vaccination and the injections of selenium and vitamin E were repeated 42 days later. The concentration of selenium in whole blood and of vitamin E in serum was determined by fluorometric methods. Specific antibody titres against E coli were determined in serum samples by ELISA. The results showed that the injection of selenium either alone or in combination with vitamin E significantly improved the production of specific antibodies against E coli, and that the production of specific antibodies was greater after the administration of selenium alone.     

Effect of selenate as a feed supplement to dairy cows in comparison to selenite and selenium yeast

The main aim of this trial was to define the possible differences between selenite and selenate in their ability to increase the selenium (Se) concentration of milk, in comparison with organic Se. Dairy cows (n = 42) were fed a basal diet containing .10 to .12 mg Se/kg DM for 5 mo and were then divided into four groups of 10 or 11, as similar as possible in age and stage of lactation. During the next 84 d, the cows in three of the groups were supplemented with 3 mg of Se daily, whereas the cows in one control group remained unsupplemented. The Se supplement was given as sodium selenite, sodium selenate, or a Se yeast product. The total Se concentration of the diets varied with the cows' stage of lactation and was for the supplemented groups .24 to .31 mg/kg DM, but remained between .10 and .12 mg/kg in the control group. At the end of the trial, the mean whole blood Se concentrations in the selenite, selenate, yeast, and control groups were 138, 141, 165, and 104 microg/L, respectively. The Se concentration in plasma apparently reached a plateau level within 4 wk, at approximately 75 microg/L in the selenite group, 80 microg/L in the selenate group, and 90 microg/L in the yeast group. In the control group the mean concentration in plasma remained at approximately 50 microg/L. The increase of the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the erythrocytes was significantly higher in the supplemented groups than in the control group. The mean concentrations of Se in milk in the selenite, selenate, and yeast groups were 16.4, 16.4, and 31.2 microg/L, respectively, whereas the concentration remained at approximately 14 microg/L in the control group. The milk Se concentration reached a plateau within 1 wk after the start of Se supplementation. Dietary supplementation with selenite and selenate, thus, had only a limited effect on the Se concentration in milk, and there was no significant difference between the two inorganic compounds in any variable measured. Organic Se was much more effective than inorganic Se in increasing the concentration of Se in milk.     

The metabolism of 75Se-selenomethionine in sheep given supplementary copper and molybdenum

Four groups of three ram lambs were fed, in group pens, the following diets from 4 to 19 wk of age: 1) control (6 mg Cu/kg and 1 mg Mo/kg); 2) control plus 10 mg Cu/kg; 3) control plus 10 mg Mo/kg and 4) control plus 10 mg/kg of both Cu and Mo. Copper and Mo were added to the diet as copper sulfate and sodium molybdate. The main ingredients of the diets were alfalfa hay (20%), oats (20%) and corn (59%). At 19 wk, the animals were allocated randomly to individual metabolism cages and received a single oral dose of 75Se-selenomethionine. Liver Cu concentrations at slaughter (22 wk) were 77, 259, 68 and 316 mg/kg fresh weight for treatments 1 through 4. There was clinical evidence of Cu poisoning in lambs on treatment 2. Sheep given Cu supplements without additional Mo had reduced (P less than .05) levels of 75Se activity in muscle compared with control animals. This decrease in muscle 75Se in Cu-supplemented lambs was associated with a nonsignificant increase in 75Se content of other tissues and a nonsignificant increase in fecal excretion of 75Se. Apparent absorption and net retention of 75Se was 80% and 74%, respectively. Long-term ingestion of moderate levels of Cu influenced the metabolism of Se fed as selenomethionine, possibly through effects of chronic Cu toxicity on liver function.     

Effects of dietary Selenomethionine supplementation on growth performance,antioxidant status,plasma selenium concentration,and immune function in weaning pigs

Background:This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of DL-selenomethionine(DL-SeMet) supplementation on growth performance,antioxidant status,plasma selenium(Se) concentration,and immune function of weaning pigs.216 weaning pigs were randomly allocated to 6 treatments with 6 replicates each according to a complete randomized block design.Each replicate had six pigs.Diet of group one was corn-soybean basal diet without any additional Se supplement.Group 2 was supplemented with 0.3 mg/kg of Se from sodium selenite.Groups 3-6 were supplemented with 0.1,0.3,0.5,and 0.7 mg/kg of Se from DL-SeMet,respectively.The trial lasted for 42 days.Results:Pigs supplemented with 0.3 and 0.7 mg/kg DL-SeMet obtained better feed gain ratio(P 0.05).The best antioxidant ability(serum,liver,and muscle) was shown in 0.1-0.3 mg/kg DL-SeMet groups(P 0.05).The plasma Se concentration increased as the dietary DL-SeMet level elevated.The immunity among groups was not affected.Conclusions:DL-SeMet supplementation in the diet significantly improved the growth performance,antioxidant ability and plasma Se content of weaning pigs.DL-SeMet can replace sodium selenite in the diet of weaning pigs.