Selenium supplementation increases wool growth and reduces faecal egg counts of Merino weaners in a selenium-deficient area
Pietro Celi A C , Jeff Eppleston B , Annabel Armstrong A and Bruce Watt BA Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Narellan, NSW 2567, Australia.
B Tablelands Livestock Health and Pest Authority, Bathurst, NSW 2795, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: pietro.celi@sydney.edu.au
Animal Production Science 50(7) 688-692 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN09168
Submitted: 1 December 2009 Accepted: 20 May 2010 Published: 30 July 2010
Abstract
This paper reports on the effects of selenium supplementation on liveweight (LW), greasy fleece weight (GFW), fibre diameter (FD), impact of parasite infection and plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in weaned Merino sheep reared in a selenium-deficient area (blood GSH-Px <40 U/g Hb). At weaning, 208 Merino wethers were assigned to two groups: control (CTRL) and treatment (SEL). The SEL group was injected with 0.5 mL of Deposel, a slow release selenium injection. LW, blood and faecal samples were taken at 6-week intervals over a 24-week period. At the end of the trial the animals were shorn and GFW and FD measurements were taken. The SEL group had significantly higher (P < 0.01) LW compared with the CTRL group at Weeks 6, 12, 18 and 24. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in GFW between the SEL and CTRL group, 2.93 and 2.75 kg, respectively. There was no difference in FD between the two groups. A trend (P < 0.06) towards lower faecal egg counts in the SEL group was seen but the difference between the two groups was not significant. As expected, the SEL group had significantly (P < 0.001) higher plasma GSH-Px activity compared with the CTRL group. In conclusion, selenium supplementation in weaned Merino sheep reared in a selenium-deficient area could increase the LW and GFW of the young sheep while perhaps reducing the level of parasitic infection.
Additional keywords: gastrointestinal parasites, glutathione peroxidase.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Peter Moore for the use of facilities and sheep throughout the trial, Kevin Thornberry for assisting with fleece weighing and fibre diameter measurements and Dave Palmer for assisting with faecal egg counts. We are grateful for the support provided by the Australian Wool Education Trust.
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