Authors : J. Segovia , C. Arzola , O. Ruiz , J. Salinas-Chavira , , C. Rodriguez-Muela , J. Jimenez , H. Gonzalez-Garcia and Y. Castillo-Castillo
Abstract: Two selenium sources (organic and inorganic) were evaluated using 28 Multiparous (M) and 18 Uniparous (U) ewes, of 54.8�9.4 and 39.7�5.6 kg live weight, respectively. They were randomly assigned to 2 treatments: Basal diet plus Inorganic Selenium (IS) and basal diet plus Organic Selenium, Sel-Plex 50® (OS). A split plot design in time was used; the animal was the main plot and time (lactation days) was considered as the subplot. The main plot had a 2�2 factorial structure, with 2 selenium sources (IS or OS) and 2 maturities of ewes (M or U). The subplot also had 2 levels (from birth to weaning and from lambing to 22 days after weaning). The variables were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS. Results showed no difference (p>0.05) of the main effects: Selenium source (treatment), maturity and the weight of lambs in time (lactation days), however the treatment � time interaction showed statistical difference (p<0.05) with weights of 56.8 and 57.3 kg in IS and OS, respectively at 22 days post-weaning. The maturity � time interaction was different (p<0.05) with weights of 57.6 kg for M and 56.4 kg for U, respectively at 22 days post-weaning. The lamb weight was similar (p>0.05), although weights at weaning numerically values favored inorganic selenium. In conclusion, organic selenium could improve the weight of ewes after weaning, however lamb weight tended to be higher with inorganic selenium, however this effect may be related to more lambs per ewe in organic selenium group.
J. Segovia , C. Arzola , O. Ruiz , J. Salinas-Chavira , , C. Rodriguez-Muela , J. Jimenez , H. Gonzalez-Garcia and Y. Castillo-Castillo , 2008. Effect of Organic and Inorganic Selenium Supplementation on Weight Performance of Ewes and Lambs. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 7: 1555-1558.