Effect of Different Sources of Selenium Supplementation to Milk on Growth and Health of Holstein Suckling Calves

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Animal Science, Faculty of agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran

2 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 male and female 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. Daily feed intake, body weight, and skeletal indices were measured every two weeks. Blood samples were also taken to determine blood parameters on days 0, 35, and 70 of age. Selenium supplementation in inorganic and organic forms to the milk didn't affect the dry matter intake of starter (P>0.05) and total dry matter intake (P>0.05). However, the calves final weight increased significantly by organic selenium supplementation. Also, calves receiving inorganic and organic selenium had higher daily weight gain (P<0.05). Nevertheless, feed efficiency also increased with organic selenium supplementation (P<0.05). 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. Also, adding inorganic or organic selenium to milk, reduced serum alkaline phosphatase concentration (P<0.05). Total antioxidant capacity was higher in the treatment receiving organic selenium (P<0.05). Overall, adding organic selenium to milk of suckling Holstein calves increased performance and feed efficiency.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Extended Abstract

Introduction

Successful breeding of replacement heifers is essential to ensure the sustainability of dairy farms and future milk production. In the modern dairy industry, calves are reared artificially and early feeding programs have been widely studied to improve their performance during the preweaning period. Selenium is one of the most important trace elements essential for many vital body functions in livestock production. To meet animal requirements for selenium, feeds are usually supplemented with either mineral forms of selenium (sodium selenate or selenite) or organic forms, mainly consisting of selenomethionine. In monogastric species, the greater bioavailability and efficacy of organic forms compared to inorganic forms have been extensively studied. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of organic and inorganic selenium supplementation on the performance and health of suckling Holstein calves.

 

Material and method

Forty-five male and female suckling Holstein calves with an average weight of 39.63±5.10 kg and 4 d old were randomly assigned to one of the experimental treatments in individual cages in a randomized complete design. 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. All the experimental diets were balanced to meet the nutrient requirements of the dairy calves according to the recommendations of the National Research Council (NRC, 2001). Daily feed intake, body weight, and skeletal indices were measured every two weeks. Blood samples were also taken to determine blood parameters on days 0, 35, and 70 of age. Data were analyzed using SAS software.

 

Result

The present 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 an age of 4 d were randomly assigned to one of the experimental treatments in individual cages in a randomized complete design. 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 of suckling calves did not affect the dry matter intake of starter (P>0.05) and total dry matter intake (P>0.05). However, the final weight of calves increased significantly by organic selenium supplementation. Also, calves receiving selenium with inorganic and organic forms had higher daily weight gain (P<0.05). On the other hand, feed efficiency also increased with the supplementation of organic selenium (P<0.05). Among the skeletal growth indices, the withers height and heart girth of suckling calves tended to increase with the addition of selenium to milk, and the heart girth was highest in the organic group (0.91 vs. 90.5 and 89.6 cm for inorganic and control, respectively). Rectal temperature, ear disposition, and nasal discharge score were similar among treatments (P>0.05). However, the fecal consistency score in the control, inorganic, and organic groups was 1.39, 1.29, and 1.23, respectively, and was significantly different. Also, the eye discharge score in the organic group was lower than the control group (1.11 vs. 1.25). 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. Also, adding selenium to milk, either inorganic or organic form, reduced serum alkaline phosphatase concentration (P<0.05). Total antioxidant capacity was higher in the treatment receiving organic selenium (P<0.05). Blood zinc, copper, iron, phosphorus, and calcium concentrations of calves were not affected by the addition of inorganic and organic forms of selenium to milk (P>0.05). Overall, adding organic selenium to milk of suckling Holstein calves increased performance and feed efficiency.

 

Conclusion

Selenium supplementation in the milk of Holstein suckling calves, whether in mineral or organic form, resulted in higher daily weight gain. However, organic selenium added to milk in the form of selenomethionine also increased feed efficiency. Among skeletal growth indices, withers height and heart girth tended to increase with selenium supplementation in milk. Both organic and inorganic selenium supplementation in milk improved fecal consistency, and selenomethionine supplementation also improved eye health. overall, according to the results of the present study, selenium supplementation in the form of selenomethionine in milk increases performance and feed efficiency of suckling calves.

 

Author Contributions

Jafar Khalili: Investigation, Writing - Original Draft.

 Daryoush Alipour: Conceptualization, Validation, Supervision, Writing - Review & Editing, Project administration.

Hsasan Aliarabi: Formal Analysis, Writing - original draft

Data Availability Statement

This article contains all the data that were created or evaluated during the research.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to sincerely thank the members of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Urmia University Research Council for the approval and support of this research.

Conflict of interest

The author declares no conflict of interest.

References

REFERENCES
Alimohammadi, R. and Aliarabi. 2013. Effects of different level of selenium and performance, blood metabolites and nutrient digestibility in Mrhraban meal lambs. Iranian Journal of Animal Science Research, 5, 48-55 (In Persian).
Alimohamady, R., Aliarabi, H., Bahari, A., & Dezfoulian, A. H. (2013). Influence of different amounts and sources of selenium supplementation on performance, some blood parameters, and nutrient digestibility in lambs. Biological Trace Element Research, 154, 45-54.
Arshad, M. A., Ebeid, H. M., & Hassan, F. U. (2021). Revisiting the effects of different dietary sources of selenium on the health and performance of dairy animals: a review. Biological Trace Element Research, 199(9), 3319-3337.
Arthur, J. R., Morrice, P. C., & Beckett, G. J. (1988). Thyroid hormone concentrations in selenium deficient and selenium sufficient cattle. Research in Veterinary Science, 45(1), 122-123.
Arthur, J. R., Nicol, F., Rae, P. W. H., & Beckett, G. J. (1990). Effects of selenium deficiency on the thyroid gland and on plasma and pituitary thyrotrophin and growth hormone concentrations in the rat. Clinical Chemistry and Enzyme Communications, 3, 209-214.
Awadeh, F. T., Kincaid, R. L., & Johnson, K. A. (1998). Effect of level and source of dietary selenium on concentrations of thyroid hormones and immunoglobulins in beef cows and calves. Journal of Animal Science, 76(4), 1204-1215.
Bai, X., Li, F., Li, F., & Guo, L. (2022). Different dietary sources of selenium alter meat quality, shelf life, selenium deposition, and antioxidant status in Hu lambs. Meat Science, 194, 108961.
Cárdenas-Ramírez, L. R., Sánchez del Real, C., Ruíz-Flores, A., Pérez-Hernández, G., López-Ordaz, R., Vite-Cristóbal, C., & López-Ordaz, R. (2023). Effect of selenium source on productive behavior, serum and muscle selenium content, and serum level of albumin, α-, β-and∂-globulins in Pelibuey sheep. Revista Mexicana de Ciencias Pecuarias, 14(2), 476-487.
Carroll, J. A., & Forsberg, N. E. (2007). Influence of stress and nutrition on cattle immunity. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, 23(1), 105-149.
Cruickshank, K. M., Hatew, B., Gehman, A. M., Koenig, K. M., Ribeiro, E. S., McBride, B. W., & Steele, M. A. (2024). The effect of supplementary selenium source on apparent and true absorption, retention, performance, and selenium status in lactating Holstein cows. Journal of Dairy Science.
Duplessis, M., Wright, T. C., & Bejaei, M. (2023). A survey of Canadian dairy nutritionists to assess current trace element formulation practices. Journal of Dairy Science, 106(6), 4030-4041.
Ebrahimi, M., Towhidi, A., & Nikkhah, A. (2009). Effect of organic selenium (Sel-Plex) on thermometabolism, blood chemical composition and weight gain in Holstein suckling calves. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 22(7), 984-992.
Gong, J., Ni, L., Wang, D., Shi, B., & Yan, S. (2014). Effect of dietary organic selenium on milk selenium concentration and antioxidant and immune status in midlactation dairy cows. Livestock Science, 170, 84-90.
Gunter, S. A., Beck, P. A., & Phillips, J. M. (2003). Effects of supplementary selenium source on the performance and blood measurements in beef cows and their calves. Journal of Animal Science, 81(4), 856-864.
Guyot, H., de Oliveira, L. A., Ramery, E., Beckers, J. F., & Rollin, F. (2011). Effect of a combined iodine and selenium supplementation on I and Se status of cows and their calves. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, 25(2), 118-124.
Guyot, H., Spring, P., Andrieu, S., & Rollin, F. (2007). Comparative responses to sodium selenite and organic selenium supplements in Belgian Blue cows and calves. Livestock Science, 111(3), 259-263.
Hachemi, M. A., Sexton, J. R., Briens, M., & Whitehouse, N. L. (2023). Efficacy of feeding hydroxy-selenomethionine on plasma and milk selenium in mid-lactation dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 106(4), 2374-2385.
Hall, J. A., Bobe, G., Vorachek, W. R., Estill, C. T., Mosher, W. D., Pirelli, G. J., & Gamroth, M. (2014). Effect of supranutritional maternal and colostral selenium supplementation on passive absorption of immunoglobulin G in selenium-replete dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 97(7), 4379-4391.
Hall, J. A., Bobe, G., Vorachek, W. R., Hugejiletu, Gorman, M. E., Mosher, W. D., & Pirelli, G. J. (2013). Effects of feeding selenium-enriched alfalfa hay on immunity and health of weaned beef calves. Biological Trace Element Research, 156, 96-110.
Han, L., Pang, K., Fu, T., Phillips, C. J., & Gao, T. (2021). Nano-selenium supplementation increases selenoprotein (Sel) gene expression profiles and milk selenium concentration in lactating dairy cows. Biological Trace Element Research, 199, 113-119.
Jung, D.J.S., Kim, D.H., Beak, S.H., Cho, I.G., Hong, S.J., Lee, J., Lee, J.O., Kim, H.J., Malekkhahi, M. and Baik, M., 2023. Effects of vitamin E and selenium administration on transportation stress in pregnant dairy heifers. Journal of Dairy Science, 106(12), pp.9576-9586.
Juniper, D. T., Phipps, R. H., Givens, D. I., Jones, A. K., Green, C., & Bertin, G. (2008). Tolerance of ruminant animals to high dose in-feed administration of a selenium-enriched yeast. Journal of Animal Science, 86(1), 197-204.
Juniper, D. T., Phipps, R. H., Jones, A. K., & Bertin, G. (2006). Selenium supplementation of lactating dairy cows: effect on selenium concentration in blood, milk, urine, and feces. Journal of Dairy Science, 89(9), 3544-3551.Juniper, D.T., Rymer, C. and Briens, M., 2019. Bioefficacy of hydroxy-selenomethionine as a selenium supplement in pregnant dairy heifers and on the selenium status of their calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 102(8), pp.7000-7010.
Kamada, H., Nonaka, I., Ueda, Y., & Murai, M. (2007). Selenium addition to colostrum increases immunoglobulin G absorption by newborn calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 90(12), 5665-5670.
Khorrami, Z., Aliarabi, H., Farahavar, A., & Fadayifar, A. (2021). The Effect of Slow-Release Bolus of Zinc and Selenium or Daily Feeding of Salts of These Elements on the Performance of Pregnant Ewes and Their Lambs. Research on Animal Production, 12(31), 77-89. (In Persian)
Khorrami, Z., Aliarabi, H., Farahavar, A., & Fadayifar, A. (2024). Effect of pre and postpartum maternal supplementation of zinc and selenium via slow-release glass bolus or the element salts on feed intake and some blood parameters in ewes and their lambs. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 311, 115949.
Knowles, S. O., Grace, N. D., Wurms, K., & Lee, J. (1999). Significance of amount and form of dietary selenium on blood, milk, and casein selenium concentrations in grazing cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 82(2), 429-437.
Kryukov, G. V., Castellano, S., Novoselov, S. V., Lobanov, A. V., Zehtab, O., Guigó, R., & Gladyshev, V. N. (2003). Characterization of mammalian selenoproteomes. Science, 300(5624), 1439-1443.
Kumar, N., Garg, A. K., Dass, R. S., Chaturvedi, V. K., Mudgal, V., & Varshney, V. P. (2009). Selenium supplementation influences growth performance, antioxidant status and immune response in lambs. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 153(1-2), 77-87.
Labunskyy, V. M., Hatfield, D. L., & Gladyshev, V. N. (2014). Selenoproteins: molecular pathways and physiological roles. Physiological Reviews, 94(3), 739-777.
Lacetera, N., Bemabucci, U., Ronchi, B., & Nardone, A. (1996). Effects of selenium and vitamin E administration during a late stage of pregnancy on colostrum and milk production in dairy cows, and on passive immunity and growth of their offspring. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 57(12), 1776-1780.
Lee, S. H., Park, B. Y., Yeo, J. M., Lee, S. S., Lee, J. H., Ha, J. K., & Kim, W. Y. (2007). Effects of different selenium sources on performance, carcass characteristics, plasma glutathione peroxidase activity and selenium deposition in finishing Hanwoo steers. Asian-australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 20(2), 229-236.
Liu, Y. J., Zhang, Z. D., Dai, S. H., Wang, Y., Tian, X. F., Zhao, J. H., ... & Huo, W. J. (2020). Effects of sodium selenite and coated sodium selenite addition on performance, ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility and hepatic gene expression related to lipid metabolism in dairy bulls. Livestock Science, 237, 104062.
McDowell, L. R. (1992). Minerals in animal and human nutrition. Academic Press, Gainesville, FL.
Mehdi, Y., & Dufrasne, I. (2016). Selenium in cattle: a review. Molecules, 21(4), 545.
Mohrekesh, M., Shahraki, A. F., Ghalamkari, G. R., & Guyot, H. (2018). Effects of three methods of oral selenium-enriched yeast supplementation on blood components and growth in Holstein dairy calves. Animal Production Science, 59(2), 260-265.
Mohri, M., Ehsani, A., Norouzian, M. A., Bami, M. H., & Seifi, H. A. (2011). Parenteral selenium and vitamin E supplementation to lambs: hematology, serum biochemistry, performance, and relationship with other trace elements. Biological trace element research, 139, 308-316.
Mousaie, A., Valizadeh, R., Naserian, A. A., Heidarpour, M., & Mehrjerdi, H. K. (2014). Impacts of feeding selenium-methionine and chromium-methionine on performance, serum components, antioxidant status, and physiological responses to transportation stress of Baluchi ewe lambs. Biological Trace Element Research, 162, 113-123.
Mudgal, V., Garg, A. K., Dass, R. S., & Varshney, V. P. (2008). Effect of selenium and copper supplementation on blood metabolic profile in male buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves. Biological Trace Element Research, 121, 31-38.
Ogilvie, L., Van Winters, B., Mion, B., King, K., Spricigo, J. F. W., Karrow, N. A., ... & Ribeiro, E. S. (2023). Effects of replacing inorganic salts of trace minerals with organic trace minerals in the diet of prepartum cows on quality of colostrum and immunity of newborn calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 106(5), 3493-3508.
Ortman, K., & Pehrson, B. (1999). Effect of selenate as a feed supplement to dairy cows in comparison to selenite and selenium yeast. Journal of Animal Science, 77(12), 3365-3370.
Pehrson, B., Ortman, K., Madjid, N., & Trafikowska, U. (1999). The influence of dietary selenium as selenium yeast or sodium selenite on the concentration of selenium in the milk of suckler cows and on the selenium status of their calves. Journal of Animal Science, 77(12), 3371-3376.
Phipps, R. H., Grandison, A. S., Jones, A. K., Juniper, D. T., Ramos-Morales, E., & Bertin, G. (2008). Selenium supplementation of lactating dairy cows: effects on milk production and total selenium content and speciation in blood, milk and cheese. Animal, 2(11), 1610-1618.
Plowden, J., Renshaw‐Hoelscher, M., Engleman, C., Katz, J., & Sambhara, S. (2004). Innate immunity in aging: impact on macrophage function. Aging Cell, 3(4), 161-167.
Qazi, I. H., Angel, C., Yang, H., Zoidis, E., Pan, B., Wu, Z., ... & Zhou, G. (2019). Role of selenium and selenoproteins in male reproductive function: a review of past and present evidences. Antioxidants, 8(8), 268.
Rowntree, J. E., Hill, G. M., Hawkins, D. R., Link, J. E., Rincker, M. J., Bednar, G. W., & Kreft Jr, R. A. (2004). Effect of Se on selenoprotein activity and thyroid hormone metabolism in beef and dairy cows and calves. Journal of Animal Science, 82(10), 2995-3005.
Salles, M. S. V., Zanetti, M. A., Junior, L. C. R., Salles, F. A., Azzolini, A. E. C. S., Soares, E. M., ... & Valim, Y. M. L. (2014). Performance and immune response of suckling calves fed organic selenium. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 188, 28-35.
Surai, P. F., & Fisinin, V. I. (2016). Selenium in sow nutrition. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 211, 18-30.
Shi, L., Ren, Y., Zhang, C., Yue, W., & Lei, F. (2017). Effects of maternal dietary selenium (Se-enriched yeast) on growth performance, antioxidant status and haemato-biochemical parameters of their male kids in Taihang black goats. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 231, 67-75.
Shinde, P. L., Dass, R. S., & Garg, A. K. (2009). Effect of vitamin E and selenium supplementation on haematology, blood chemistry and thyroid hormones in male buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves. Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences, 18(2), 241-256.
Singh, R., Randhawa, S. S., & Dhillon, K. S. (2002). Changes in blood biochemical and enzyme profile in experimental chronic selenosis in buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis). The Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, 72(3).
Smith, K. L., Hogan, J. S., & Weiss, W. P. (1997). Dietary vitamin E and selenium affect mastitis and milk quality. Journal of Animal Science, 75(6), 1659-1665.
Soberon, F., Raffrenato, E., Everett, R. W., & Van Amburgh, M. E. (2012). Preweaning milk replacer intake and effects on long-term productivity of dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 95(2), 783-793.
Spears, J. W., Harvey, R. W., & Segerson, E. C. (1986). Effects of marginal selenium deficiency and winter protein supplementation on growth, reproduction and selenium status of beef cattle. Journal of Animal Science, 63(2), 586-594.
Sun, P., Wang, J., Liu, W., Bu, D. P., Liu, S. J., & Zhang, K. Z. (2017). Hydroxy-selenomethionine: A novel organic selenium source that improves antioxidant status and selenium concentrations in milk and plasma of mid-lactation dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 100(12), 9602-9610.
Swecker Jr, W. S., Eversole, D. E., Thatcher, C. D., Blodgett, D. J., Schurig, G. G., & Meldrum, J. B. (1989). Influence of supplemental selenium on humoral immune responses in weaned beef calves. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 50(10), 1760-1763.
Ullah, H., Khan, R. U., Tufarelli, V., & Laudadio, V. (2020). Selenium: An essential micronutrient for sustainable dairy cows production. Sustainability, 12(24), 10693.
Vignola, G., Lambertini, L., Giammarco, M., Pezzi, P., & Mazzone, G. (2007). Effects of Se supplementation on growth rate and blood parameters in lambs. Italian Journal of Animal Science, 6(sup1), 383-385.
Wei, J. Y., Wang, J., Liu, W., Zhang, K. Z., & Sun, P. (2019). Effects of different selenium supplements on rumen fermentation and apparent nutrient and selenium digestibility of mid-lactation dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 102(4), 3131-3135.
Wichtel, J. J., Craigie, A. L., Freeman, D. A., Varela-Alvarez, H., & Williamson, N. B. (1996). Effect of selenium and iodine supplementation on growth rate and on thyroid and somatotropic function in dairy calves at pasture. Journal of Dairy Science, 79(10), 1865-1872.
Yue, W., Zhang, C., Shi, L., Ren, Y., Jiang, Y., & Kleemann, D. O. (2009). Effect of supplemental selenomethionine on growth performance and serum antioxidant status in Taihang Black goats. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 22(3), 365-370.
Zarei, M., Seifdavati, J., Ghorbani, G. R., Abdi Benemar, H., Seyed Sharifi, R., & Karimi, A. (2019). The Effect of Different Sources of Selenium on Performance, Health, Growth Factor and Some Blood Parameters of Holestine Dairy Calves. Research on Animal Production, 10(26), 48-55. (In Persian).
Iranian Journal of animal Science
Volume 56, Issue 3
September 2025
Pages 689-705

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 23 December 2024
  • Revise Date: 13 April 2025
  • Accept Date: 23 April 2025

Share

How to cite

Statistics