Dietary Organic Selenium May Benefit Sows and Prewean Pigs (Republished from Feedstuffs)
Published: August 18, 2006
By: Danny M. Hooge (Kind collaboration of Alltech Inc.)
Inorganic vs Organic Selenium. Dietary selenium (Se) supplemented in the form of organic Se from Se yeast, also called selenized yeast, has higher bioavailability than Se from sodium selenite. Many metabolic functions may be enhanced throughout the body simply by delivery of more selenium to the bloodstream. Se yeast also provides modified amino acids seleno-cysteine and seleno-methionine which may have specific beneficial effects on metabolism as well. Plasma glutathione peroxidase contains an integral and stoichiometric quantity of Se, and serves a natural antioxidant function (Rotruck et al., 1973), along with vitamin E and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Without this protection, Se-deficient pigs may go into a proxidant shock after iron injections and die. Se improves immune status because several indicators of immunocompetence and immune respons-iveness are depressed in Se deficiency (Latshaw, 1991). Some widely used veterinary pharmaceuticals may cause increased demands for metabolic functions which involve Se (Combs, 1980).
Se is also necessary for deiodinase activity to convert thyroxine (T4) into triiodothy-ronine (T3) which regulates basal metabolic rate of cells throughout the body (Jianhua et al., 2000). Awadeh et al. (1998) reported that sodium selenite or Se yeast providing 60 ppm Se to free-choice salt increased plasma T3 by 14% in beef cows compared to 20 ppm Se from sodium selenite. Se yeast contributing 60 ppm Se to salt increased plasma T3 in calves at birth by 56% and 77% compared to the 20 and 60 ppm Se from sodium selenite treatments, respectively (5.3 vs 3.4 and 3.0 ng/mL).
The Se content of pork tissue may vary between states or regions due to the indigenous Se concentrations of grains (for example, lower Se in Corn Belt east of Mississippi River and along the East Coast) even when sodium selenite is fed (Mahan et al., 2005). In a recent review of selenium in sow and pig nutrition, Surai (2006) details
several selenium deficiency symptoms such as impaired reproduction, prolonged farrowing, lactation failure, poor immune responses, nutritional muscular dystrophy, mulberry heart disease, and reduced pig performance. Mahan et al. (1999) found that tissue Se contents increased linearly as the dietary Se level increased, but the increase was markedly higher when organic Se was fed to growing-finishing pigs. Additionally, there was a trend for higher drip loss (P = 0.11) and a linear increase in loin paleness when the inorganic Se (sodium selenite) level increased (P < 0.01), apparently due to sodium selenite's proxidant activities. Kim and Mahan (2001a) showed that Se at > or = 10 ppm from sodium selenite was toxic to growing-finishing pigs, causing hair loss (alopecia) and separation of the hoof at the coronary band site, whereas > or = 15 ppm from organic Se was required for similar responses. However, plasma and blood cell Se contents were higher when the organic Se was used compared to sodium selenite at similar dietary Se levels (P< 0.05). Therefore, at equal dietary Se inclusion rates, organic Se contributes higher levels of Se to the circulation than sodium selenite and yet is less toxic when overdosed.
several selenium deficiency symptoms such as impaired reproduction, prolonged farrowing, lactation failure, poor immune responses, nutritional muscular dystrophy, mulberry heart disease, and reduced pig performance. Mahan et al. (1999) found that tissue Se contents increased linearly as the dietary Se level increased, but the increase was markedly higher when organic Se was fed to growing-finishing pigs. Additionally, there was a trend for higher drip loss (P = 0.11) and a linear increase in loin paleness when the inorganic Se (sodium selenite) level increased (P < 0.01), apparently due to sodium selenite's proxidant activities. Kim and Mahan (2001a) showed that Se at > or = 10 ppm from sodium selenite was toxic to growing-finishing pigs, causing hair loss (alopecia) and separation of the hoof at the coronary band site, whereas > or = 15 ppm from organic Se was required for similar responses. However, plasma and blood cell Se contents were higher when the organic Se was used compared to sodium selenite at similar dietary Se levels (P< 0.05). Therefore, at equal dietary Se inclusion rates, organic Se contributes higher levels of Se to the circulation than sodium selenite and yet is less toxic when overdosed.
In the Alltech, Inc. 30 June 2005 dossier for registration of Sel-Plex® selenized yeast in the European Union, the following significant effects on sows for reproduction and on sows for benefits in piglets were demonstrated: 1) increased Se transfer in milk and colostrum, 2) increased total Se in edible tissue (loin, kidney, etc.), 3) decreased back fat, and 4) decreased Se in feces and urine. No adverse effects of Se yeast have been found in piglets given 10 times the maximum dose.
Sow Trials with Selenium Yeast.
Dietary organic selenium in the form of Se yeast (Sel-Plex®) for gestating and lactating sows has been evaluated in a numberof trials. Mahan and Kim (1996) fed diets with 0.1 or 0.3 ppm Se from sodiumselenite or Se yeast beginning about 60 days before breeding to gilts to endof lactation (weaning of piglets). Milk Se increased, loin Se of neonataland stillborn piglets increased, and serum and loin Se of weanling piglets increasedas dietary Se level increased or when Se yeast was fed. Mahan (2000) added0, 0.15, or 0.30 ppm Se from either sodium selenite or Se yeast to sow dietsfor 6 days prepartum through 14 days of lactation. Short-term feeding ofSeyeast, but not sodium selenite, increased Se content of colostrum. MilkSe at 7 and 14days postpartum was 2.5 to 3 times higher when Se yeast was fed compared to inorganicSe so organic Se was more effectively incorporated into milk.
Kim and Mahan (2001b) studied effects of high levels of 0.3, 3, 7, or 10 ppmSe from sodium selenite or Se yeast in diets of gilts from 25 kg body weightthrough one reproductive cycle. Colostrum and milk Se concentrations increasedas dietary Se levels increased particularly when organic Se was fed (P< 0.01). Neonataland weanling pig
tissue Se and seum Se concentrations increased as dietary Se level increasedor when Sewas fed. Mahan and Peters (2004) started gilts at 27.6 kg body weighton diets with 0,0.15, or 0.30 ppm Se from sodium selenite or Se yeast and continued treatmentsthrougha reproductive cycle. Tissue and total body Se contents of newborn pigsfrom 4-parity sows increased with increasing dietary Se level or with organicSe (P< 0.01). Colostrumand milk Se concentrations were subtantially greater in Se yeast fed treatments(P< 0.01). Sow tissue Se levels were higher when fed Se yeastrather than sodium selenite(P< 0.01).
Lampe et al. (2005a, 2005b) reported results of feeding 0.3 ppm Se from sodiumselenite or Se yeast to sows from 80 days of gestation through lactation. Litterdata was analyzed from about 380 sows per treatment, and results are presentedin Table 1 (Trial 1). All litters were equalized to same number of pigletson day of birth. Mid-lactation milk Se was greater in the Se yeast group. Sowsreceiving Se yeast weaned significantly more pigs (P = 0.001) by 0.35pigs/litter and had higher litter weaning weights (P = 0.01) by 4.6lb at 0.6 days younger than those receiving sodium selenite. Piglets deaths/sow(equalized litters basis) was reduced by Se yeast supplementation (P =0.06). During the nursery phase of Trial 1, pigs from each sow treatmentwere fed 0.3 ppm Se from either sodium selenite or Se yeast (2 x 2 factorial). Aninfluence of sow Se source was observed for total pig mortality plus culls inthe nursery phase, 96.8% from sows fed Se yeast and 94.6% from sows fed sodiumselenite (P = 0.10; main effect).
Unpublished results of sow Trial 2 by these researchersare presented in Table 1. Alevel of 0.3 ppm Se from sodium selenite was added to diets of 378 sows, or fromSe yeast to diets of 516 sows, beginning at 72 to 79 days of gestation. Therewere trends for a greater number of pigs born alive (P > 0.08) and for a reductionin piglet deaths/sow with equalized litters (P< 0.14) when sowsreceived Se yeast in their diets. No pig body weights were taken at birthor weaning in Trial 2. There were no significant differences due to treatments;however, pigs weaned was slightly numerically higher (9.55 vs 9.42) and preweaningmortality % was lower (12.6 vs 15.5) for pigs from sows receiving Se yeast comparedto sodium selenite.
Combined results for Trials 1 and 2, given in Table 1, included data from 761sows fed sodium selenite in their diets and from 893 sows fed diets containingSe yeast. When Se
yeast was supplemented to sow diets, there was a significant decrease in pigletdeaths/sow by 0.15 pigs (P < 0.02) and in weaning age (P< 0.01)by 0.27 days, and an increase in the number of pigs weaned/litter (P< 0.01)by 0.22 pigs.
Economic Implications of Fewer Piglet Deaths/Litter. Theeconomic benefit of weaning an average additional 0.15 pig/litter (or that manyfewer deaths/equalized litter) can be calculated under today’s conditions. Assuming2.25 litters, 2.25 x 0.15 pigs/litter gives 0.34 more pigs/sow/year. Ifthe weaned pig is worth about $30, then 0.34 pigs x $30 gives $10.20/sow extrarevenue. At current costs, feeding Se yeast continually for a year showsan average return on investment of about 7:1 and a reduction in sow feed cost/pigletweaned.
Conclusions.
Two sow feeding trials were conducted ata commercial facility withdiets containing 0.3 ppm added Se from either sodium selenite or Se yeast, fedbeginning at 72 to 80 days of gestation through lactation. In one trial pig birthand weaning weights were also recorded. In Trial 1 and Combined Trialsdietary Se yeast significantly increased the overall number of pigs weaned perlitter (+0.22 pigs for Combined Trials). Piglet deaths/sow in equalizedlitters were significantly reduced by 0.15 pigs for Combined Trials, and thisadvantage alone provides an estimated 7:1 benefit to cost ratio or return oninvestment. Litter weaning weight, measured in Trial 1, was significantly improvedby +4.6 lb using sow diets with Se yeast compared to diets with sodium selenite. Litterweaning weight reflected improvements in weaned pig numbers and body weights. Sowsfed Se yeast containing diets produced piglets with 2.2% lower preweaning mortality. Therefore,Se yeast is recommended as a replacement supplement for sodium selenite in sowgestation and lactation feeds from at least 72-80 days of gestation, and preferablyover the entire reproductive cycle, to improve pig numbers, body weight, andlivability.
Table 1. Effects of dietary Se source (sodium seleniteor Se yeast) providing 0.3 ppm
1No body weights were taken at birth or weaning in Trial 2
2Calculated as ([1-(total pigs weaned/total pigs born alive)] x100). Mortalities included pigs laid on, those with low viability, etc.
3Includes days for gilts that were skipped first service,following weaning, and bred on second heat.
Sow Trials with Selenium Yeast.
Dietary organic selenium in the form of Se yeast (Sel-Plex®) for gestating and lactating sows has been evaluated in a numberof trials. Mahan and Kim (1996) fed diets with 0.1 or 0.3 ppm Se from sodiumselenite or Se yeast beginning about 60 days before breeding to gilts to endof lactation (weaning of piglets). Milk Se increased, loin Se of neonataland stillborn piglets increased, and serum and loin Se of weanling piglets increasedas dietary Se level increased or when Se yeast was fed. Mahan (2000) added0, 0.15, or 0.30 ppm Se from either sodium selenite or Se yeast to sow dietsfor 6 days prepartum through 14 days of lactation. Short-term feeding ofSeyeast, but not sodium selenite, increased Se content of colostrum. MilkSe at 7 and 14days postpartum was 2.5 to 3 times higher when Se yeast was fed compared to inorganicSe so organic Se was more effectively incorporated into milk.
Kim and Mahan (2001b) studied effects of high levels of 0.3, 3, 7, or 10 ppmSe from sodium selenite or Se yeast in diets of gilts from 25 kg body weightthrough one reproductive cycle. Colostrum and milk Se concentrations increasedas dietary Se levels increased particularly when organic Se was fed (P< 0.01). Neonataland weanling pig
tissue Se and seum Se concentrations increased as dietary Se level increasedor when Sewas fed. Mahan and Peters (2004) started gilts at 27.6 kg body weighton diets with 0,0.15, or 0.30 ppm Se from sodium selenite or Se yeast and continued treatmentsthrougha reproductive cycle. Tissue and total body Se contents of newborn pigsfrom 4-parity sows increased with increasing dietary Se level or with organicSe (P< 0.01). Colostrumand milk Se concentrations were subtantially greater in Se yeast fed treatments(P< 0.01). Sow tissue Se levels were higher when fed Se yeastrather than sodium selenite(P< 0.01).
Lampe et al. (2005a, 2005b) reported results of feeding 0.3 ppm Se from sodiumselenite or Se yeast to sows from 80 days of gestation through lactation. Litterdata was analyzed from about 380 sows per treatment, and results are presentedin Table 1 (Trial 1). All litters were equalized to same number of pigletson day of birth. Mid-lactation milk Se was greater in the Se yeast group. Sowsreceiving Se yeast weaned significantly more pigs (P = 0.001) by 0.35pigs/litter and had higher litter weaning weights (P = 0.01) by 4.6lb at 0.6 days younger than those receiving sodium selenite. Piglets deaths/sow(equalized litters basis) was reduced by Se yeast supplementation (P =0.06). During the nursery phase of Trial 1, pigs from each sow treatmentwere fed 0.3 ppm Se from either sodium selenite or Se yeast (2 x 2 factorial). Aninfluence of sow Se source was observed for total pig mortality plus culls inthe nursery phase, 96.8% from sows fed Se yeast and 94.6% from sows fed sodiumselenite (P = 0.10; main effect).
Unpublished results of sow Trial 2 by these researchersare presented in Table 1. Alevel of 0.3 ppm Se from sodium selenite was added to diets of 378 sows, or fromSe yeast to diets of 516 sows, beginning at 72 to 79 days of gestation. Therewere trends for a greater number of pigs born alive (P > 0.08) and for a reductionin piglet deaths/sow with equalized litters (P< 0.14) when sowsreceived Se yeast in their diets. No pig body weights were taken at birthor weaning in Trial 2. There were no significant differences due to treatments;however, pigs weaned was slightly numerically higher (9.55 vs 9.42) and preweaningmortality % was lower (12.6 vs 15.5) for pigs from sows receiving Se yeast comparedto sodium selenite.
Combined results for Trials 1 and 2, given in Table 1, included data from 761sows fed sodium selenite in their diets and from 893 sows fed diets containingSe yeast. When Se
yeast was supplemented to sow diets, there was a significant decrease in pigletdeaths/sow by 0.15 pigs (P < 0.02) and in weaning age (P< 0.01)by 0.27 days, and an increase in the number of pigs weaned/litter (P< 0.01)by 0.22 pigs.
Economic Implications of Fewer Piglet Deaths/Litter. Theeconomic benefit of weaning an average additional 0.15 pig/litter (or that manyfewer deaths/equalized litter) can be calculated under today’s conditions. Assuming2.25 litters, 2.25 x 0.15 pigs/litter gives 0.34 more pigs/sow/year. Ifthe weaned pig is worth about $30, then 0.34 pigs x $30 gives $10.20/sow extrarevenue. At current costs, feeding Se yeast continually for a year showsan average return on investment of about 7:1 and a reduction in sow feed cost/pigletweaned.
Conclusions.
Two sow feeding trials were conducted ata commercial facility withdiets containing 0.3 ppm added Se from either sodium selenite or Se yeast, fedbeginning at 72 to 80 days of gestation through lactation. In one trial pig birthand weaning weights were also recorded. In Trial 1 and Combined Trialsdietary Se yeast significantly increased the overall number of pigs weaned perlitter (+0.22 pigs for Combined Trials). Piglet deaths/sow in equalizedlitters were significantly reduced by 0.15 pigs for Combined Trials, and thisadvantage alone provides an estimated 7:1 benefit to cost ratio or return oninvestment. Litter weaning weight, measured in Trial 1, was significantly improvedby +4.6 lb using sow diets with Se yeast compared to diets with sodium selenite. Litterweaning weight reflected improvements in weaned pig numbers and body weights. Sowsfed Se yeast containing diets produced piglets with 2.2% lower preweaning mortality. Therefore,Se yeast is recommended as a replacement supplement for sodium selenite in sowgestation and lactation feeds from at least 72-80 days of gestation, and preferablyover the entire reproductive cycle, to improve pig numbers, body weight, andlivability.
Table 1. Effects of dietary Se source (sodium seleniteor Se yeast) providing 0.3 ppm
1No body weights were taken at birth or weaning in Trial 2
2Calculated as ([1-(total pigs weaned/total pigs born alive)] x100). Mortalities included pigs laid on, those with low viability, etc.
3Includes days for gilts that were skipped first service,following weaning, and bred on second heat.
References
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Combs, G. F. Jr. 1980. The search for the nutritional role of selenium: A success story in poultry nutrition. Feed Management 31(1):38-39.
Jianhua, H., A. Ohtsuka, and K. Hayashi. 2000. Selenium influences growth via thyroid hormone status in broiler chickens. Brit. J. Nutr. 84(5):727-732.
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Sel-Plex® versus sodium selenite as selenium sources in sow diets. J. Anim. Sci. 83 (Suppl. 2):81.
Sel-Plex® versus sodium selenite as selenium sources in sow diets. J. Anim. Sci. 83 (Suppl. 2):81.
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Mahan, D. C., T. R. Cline, and B. Richert. 1999. Effects of dietary levels of selenium-enriched yeast and sodium selenite as selenium sources fed to growing-finishing pigs on performance, tissue selenium, serum glutathione peroxidase activity, carcass characteristics, and loin quality. J. Anim.Sci. 77(8):2172-2179.
Rotruck, J. T., A. L. Pope, H. E. Ganther, A. B. Swanson, D. G. Hafeman, and W. G. Hoekstra. 1973. Selenium: Biochemicalrole as a component of glutathione peroxidase. Science 179:588-590.
Surai, P. F. 2006. Selenium in Nutrition and Health. Nottingham University Press, Nottingham, U.K., pp. 445-486.
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