Acta Vet. Brno 2007, 76: 3-8

https://doi.org/10.2754/avb200776010003

Haematological, Blood and Rumen Chemistry Changes in Lambs Following Supplementation with Se-yeast

Z. Faixová1, Š. Faix2, Ľ. Leng2, P. Váczi3, Z. Maková1, R. Szabóová1

1Department of Pathology, Pathophysiology and Genetics
2Institute of Animal Physiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovak Republic
3Department of Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Košice, Slovak Republic

Received March 16, 2006
Accepted October 20, 2006

The effects of feed supplementation with organic form of selenium (Se) on ruminal enzyme activities (ALT, AST, GGT, ALP and GDH), blood enzyme activity (GPx), serum enzyme activities (LDH, CK) and haematological indicators were examined in lambs. Ten animals were divided into two groups and fed experimental diets for 3 months. The first group received a basic diet (BD) providing a daily intake 50.6 μg of Se only. The diet for the second group consisted of BD supplemented with selenium 0.3 mg kg-1 DM in the form of Se-enriched yeast and giving a total daily intake 278 μg of Se per animal. Lambs of the second group which were fed additional Se had increased concentrations of Se in plasma (P < 0.001), greater activity of blood glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (P < 0.001) and lower activity of creatine kinase (CK) (P < 0.05) in serum. The activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (P < 0.001) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) (P < 0.001) in ruminal fluid were found to be significantly higher in Se-yeast group of lamb compared with the group given BD with no differences for Se concentration in ruminal fluid and ALT, AST and GGT activities. Total erythrocyte count and osmotic resistance of red blood cells were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in selenium-supplemented animals. White blood cell count was increased in lambs given BD (P < 0.05). It was concluded that Se supplementation can influence ruminal enzyme activities and cell membrane resistance of lambs.