Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
2
Associate Professor, Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
3
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the effect of organic and inorganic selenium supplementation on the performance and health of suckling Holstein calves. Forty-five suckling Holstein calves with an average weight of 39.63±5.10 kg and 4 d old were used. The experimental treatments included: 1) control treatment (milk without supplement); 2) treatment containing 12.5 mg of sodium selenite supplement added to milk; and 3) treatment containing 62.5 mg of selenomethionine supplement added to milk. Selenium supplementation in inorganic and organic forms to the milk didn't affect the dry matter intake of starter (P=0.61) and total dry matter intake (P=0.90). However, the calves final weight increased significantly by organic selenium supplementation (P=0.04). Also, calves receiving inorganic and organic selenium had higher daily weight gain (P=0.001). Nevertheless, feed efficiency also increased with organic selenium supplementation (P=0.03). Among the skeletal growth indices, the withers height and heart girth tended to increase with selenium addition to milk, and the heart girth was highest in the organic. Rectal temperature, ear disposition, and nasal discharge score were similar among treatments (P<0.05). Serum alanine aminotransferase was 17.6, 16.2, and 15.4 U/L in the control, inorganic, and organic treatments, respectively, and was significantly reduced by adding organic selenium to milk (P=0.04). Also, adding inorganic or organic selenium to milk, reduced serum alkaline phosphatase concentration (P=0.004). Total antioxidant capacity was higher in the treatment receiving organic selenium (P=0.03). Overall, adding organic selenium to milk of suckling Holstein calves improved health and increased performance and feed efficiency.
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