Abstract |
- Metabolic and performance parameters of beef calves were
compared between Se supplemented (Se) and control (C) dam
treatment groups from known Se deficient cattle. Four
trials were conducted at three locations involving 50,
36, 25 and 39 experimental dam/calf pairs. Se
supplementation was either two 30 gram oral boluses (90%
iron, 10% elemental Se) or intramuscular injection of
sodium selenite (.055 mg Se/kg BW) and vit. E (.75 IU/kg
BW) given to dams prepartum. Se boluses (P<.01) and
injections (P<.05) increased calf whole blood Se at birth
and about 90 days of age, but levels were similar at
weaning. Calf whole blood Se at 90 d increased with dam
Se levels, however calves had greater amounts of Se than
their dams when dams were below 0.05 ppm Se. Serum
levels for calves at birth and about 90 d were determined
for GOT, GPT, LDH, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, ureanitrogen, cholesterol, phosphorus, calcium, protein,
albumin, immunoglobulins, and hemoglobin plus complete
blood counts with differentials. Factors most
consistently associated with Se treatment were GOT, GPT,
LDH, total protein, albumin, hemoglobin, fibrinogen, and
inorganic phosphorus. GOT, GPT, LDH, fibrinogen and
hemoglobin were negatively related to Se levels. Total
protein and albumin had a positive relationship with Se
levels. Se treatment group calves had higher (P<.03)
weight per day of age at weaning in one trial but not in
two others. Gain at 90 d of age was similar for all
treatments and trials. Regression models of WDA at 90 d
using GOT, GPT, LDH, protein, albumin, hemoglobin,
fibrinogen and phosphorus as variables had R² of .40-.88
and SE of .17-.40. Albumin (P<.02) and protein (P<.03)
were more consistently significant in regressions than
GOT, GPT or LDH. These trials demonstrate the
difficulties with Se supplementation of beef cattle and
the variable weight gain response. Se effects on protein
and albumin serum levels and their significance on weight
gain suggest possible important metabolic roles for Se in
addition to its antioxidant relationship with GOT, GPT
and LDH.
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