Acta Vet. Brno 2008, 77: 515-521

https://doi.org/10.2754/avb200877040515

Efficacy of Organic Selenium from Se-Enriched Yeast on Selenium Transfer from Sows to Piglets

M. Svoboda, R. Ficek, J. Drábek

Clinic of Pig Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic

Received April 10, 2008
Accepted June 11, 2008

The aim of the trial was to determine the efficacy of organic Se from Se-enriched yeast in placental transfer to piglets in the conditions of a Czech pig farm. In group I (n = 8) the sows were fed during gestation and lactation a diet supplemented with inorganic Se (sodium selenite, 0.3 mg/kg of Se for the gestation and 0.38 mg/kg of Se for the lactation diet). In group II (n = 8) the diet of the sows was supplemented with organic Se from Se-enriched yeast (0.3 mg/kg of Se for the gestation and 0.38 mg/kg of Se for the lactation diet). Se concentrations in the whole blood, colostrum and milk were higher (P < 0.01) in the group of sows fed with the organic Se form. No differences in GSH-Px activities in the whole blood were found between the two groups of sows. The concentrations of Se in piglet tissues (heart P < 0.05, liver P > 0.01, muscle P > 0.01) were also higher when the organic form was provided. It is concluded that the use of the organic Se from Se-enriched yeast in sows resulted in greater transfer of Se to their progeny, however it did not have a positive effect on the antioxidant system of the organism.