Alternative selenium supplement for sheep

Abstract This study investigated Se-dependent parameters in ewes after supplementation with an experimental Se product (P-Se) in comparison to sodium selenite. Six Dorset ewes averaging 93.0 (SE = 2.5) kg initial body weight were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design experiment balanced for residual effects. The study began with a 2-wk background, low-Se period and had 3 experimental periods of 3 weeks each, with 2-wk washout periods between them. The treatments studied were: (1) unsupplemented control (basal diet containing 0.065 mg Se/kg dry matter, DM); (2) basal diet supplemented with Na-selenite providing 0.25 mg Se/kg DM; and (3) basal diet supplemented with P-Se (containing 29 % Na-selenite and 71 % amorphous elemental Se) providing 0.27 mg Se/kg DM (P-Se). Blood samples (taken from the jugular vein) and spot urine and fecal samples were collected the day before the start of each experimental period, on the last day of each washout period, and once weekly during the experimental periods for analysis of Se concentration and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity (blood plasma only). Ewes supplemented with P-Se and Na-selenite had increased (P