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Seasonal Variation of Selenium Status of Norwegian Dairy Cows and Effects of Selenium Supplementation

Sesongmessig variasjon i selen status hos norske melkekyr og effekten av selentilskudd

Abstract

Blood selenium levels were found to fluctuate throughout the year, being highest during the indoor season when the greatest amounts of compound concentrates were fed. From October to January the average blood selenium levels increased from 0.10 μg/ml to 0.18 μg/ml (15 cows). Subcutaneous injections of barium selenate (500 mg selenium) increased the blood selenium levels significantly. The treated group (15 cows) reached average levels of about 0.21 μg/ml blood during the indoor season.

The effect of oral supplementation of sodium selenite (for 2 months) on the levels of plasma selenium, blood selenium and glutathione peroxidase activity was investigated. Plasma selenium was found to give an immediate reflection of the daily selenium intake. Maximum activity of glutathione peroxidase was reached 1 month after the end of the supplementation period.

It is concluded that if selenium enriched concentrates are used in a normal feeding regimen, further supplementation with selenium does not seem to be necessary.

Sammendrag

Seleninnholdet i blodet hos melkekyr varierte gjennom året. De høyeste nivåer ble påvist i innefôringssesongen når kraftfôrbruken var størst.

Gjennomsnittsnivåene av selen i blod økte fra 0.10 µg/ml i oktober til 0.18 µg/ml i januar (15 kyr).

Subcutane injeksjoner av barium selenat (500 mg selen) ga en signifikant økning av selennivåene i blod. Den behandlede gruppen (15 kyr) hadde gjennomsnittsnivåer omkring 0.21 µg/ml gjennom innefôringsperioden.

Effekten av å gi natrium selenitt peroralt (i 2 mnd) på plasmaselen, blodselen og glutathion peroksydase aktivitet ble undersøkt. Plasmaselen viste seg å gi et godt bilde av det daglige seleninntak; Maksimal glutation peroksydase aktivitet ble funnet 1 mnd etter at tilførselen av natriumselenitt var opphørt.

Det konkluderes med at under normale fôringsforhold med bruk av kraftfôr tilsatt selen, synes det ikke å være nødvendig å gi ekstra tilskudd til melkekyr.

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Ropstad, E., Østerås, O., Øvernes, G. et al. Seasonal Variation of Selenium Status of Norwegian Dairy Cows and Effects of Selenium Supplementation. Acta Vet Scand 29, 159–164 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03548366

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