engleski

Productive and selenium status in lambs affected by selenium biofortified corn-preliminary results

The widespread selenium deficiency in soil, thus in the feedstuffs from such soil, needs to be prevented by various methods. In recent years biofortification of selenium has been carried out by soil fertilization and foliar application of crops. The aim of this study was to present the preliminary results of the research carried out with the addition of selenium biofortified corn (BC) in diets of fattening lambs. The research was conducted with 20 Merinolandschaf lambs, average age of 70 days, during 30 days of fattening. Lambs were divided in two groups. Feed mixture of the control group (CG) contained 23% corn (0.014 mg Se/kg DM), while in experimental group (EG) was 23% BC (0.278 mg Se/kg DM). Feed mixture, hay and water were offered to lambs ad libitum. Body weight and body measurements (withers height, trunk length, circumference, width and depth of chest, circumference of shin bone, length and circumference of leg) as well as daily weight gain and indices of body development were determined. After lambs´ slaughter, samples of muscle (m. semimembranosus), liver, kidney, lungs, spleen, peritoneum and heart tissues were taken. Determination of selenium concentrations in feed and tissues were obtained by inductively coupled plasma. No significant differences were obtained in production traits between CG and EG (body weight: 29.80 vs 30.98 kg ; daily weight gain: 232 vs 258 g and feed conversion: 3.54 vs 3.47 kg/kg), as well as most of body measures and indices of body development, although better values were obtained in EG. However, higher concentrations of selenium in lungs and liver (CG: 0.260 and 0.745 mg/kg, respectively ; EG: 0.326 and 0.916 mg/kg, respectively ; P<0.05) as well as higher (P>0.05) concentrations in kidney, liver, heart, spleen and peritoneum were determined in EG compared to CG. The results of the study indicate the possibility of using BC in lambs´ diets. It is necessary to include biofortified corn containing different concentrations of selenium in diets, longer duration of experiment and determination of metabolic status. This will contribute to more comprehensive conclusions when using BC in fattening lambs.

production traits ; selenium status ; lambs ; biofortified corn

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