The effect of slow-release selenium and cobalt bolus on milk production and composition, reproductive performance and some blood parameters of Lari Bakhtiari's ewes

Authors

1 Dept. of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University

2 Agriculture Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj Iran

Abstract

Abstract
Background and objectives: In mammals, the need for minerals increases during the pregnancy period for the growth and development of the fetus and reaches to its maximum level at the end of the pregnancy period. Therefore, it is vital to supplement pregnant ewes with sufficient quantity of micro-minerals to preserve the fetus and improve the growth of the newborn lambs. Selenium and cobalt are two essential elements for ruminants, which play a major role in animal performance. Selenium is necessary to maintain the normal physiological functions of the body, it also plays an important role in the production of thyroid hormones and the conversion of thyroxine to triiodothyronine. Cobalt is one of the essential elements that presents in the structure of vitamin B12. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of using slow-release bolus of selenium and cobalt on milk production and composition, reproductive performance and some blood parameters of Lori Bakhtiari's ewes.
Material and methods: One hundred Lori-Bakhtiari ewes with an average age of three to four years and an average weight of 47.55 ± 5.44 kg were used in a completely randomized design. Experimental treatments included: 1) control ewes without receiving slow-release bolus, 2) ewes receiving slow-release selenium bolus with a release rate of 0.3 mg per day, 3) ewes receiving slow-release cobalt bolus with a release rate of 0.3 mg per day and 4) the ewes receiving slow release bolus containing selenium and cobalt with a release rate of 0.3 mg of selenium and cobalt per day. Blood samples were collected at 76 days post-breeding (mid-gestation) and 30 days postpartum from all ewes, and analyzed for serum concentrations of selenium, zinc, iron, triiodothyronine, thyroxine and creatine-phospho-kinase activity. The number and percentage of pregnant ewes, number and percentage of healthy lambs born, number and percentage of twining, number and percentage of lambs with white muscle disease and number and percentage of lambs survived after 70 d were also recorded.
Results: Supplementing ewes with slow-release boluses of selenium and cobalt had no effect on the number of pregnant ewes, lambs born healthy, twins, lambs with clinical symptoms of white muscle and the number of live lambs up to the age of 70 days (P<0.05). Milk production was higher in ewes receiving slow-release cobalt and selenium-cobalt tablets compared to other treatments (P<0.05). Milk fat percentage in the ewes receiving slow-release cobalt and selenium-cobalt bolus was significantly lower than other treatments (P<0.05). The percentage of milk protein in the treatment receiving slow-release selenium-cobalt bolus was significantly higher than the control treatment (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference with the other treatments (P<0.05). Serum concentration of selenium in ewes receiving slow-release selenium and selenium-cobalt boluses was significantly higher than other treatments (P<0.05). Serum concentrations of zinc, iron and serum creatine phosphokinase activity were not affected by the experimental treatments (P<0.05). Serum concentration of vitamin B12 in ewes receiving slow-release cobalt and selenium-cobalt boluses was significantly higher than the other treatments (P<0.05). Serum concentrations of triiodothyronine and thyroxine were not affected by the experimental treatments, but the ratio of thyroxine to triiodothyronine was significantly lower in ewes receiving selenium and selenium-cobalt than the other ewes (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The results showed that supplementing ewes with slow-release boluses containing selenium and cobalt at the time of estrus synchronization increased serum concentrations of selenium and vitamin B12 before and after parturition, and increased milk production and milk protein content.

Keywords

References

Abou-Zeina, H.A., Zaghawa, A., Nasr, S.M. and Keshta, H. 2008. Effects of dietary cobalt deficiency on performance, blood and rumen metabolites and liver pathology in sheep. Metabol, 1: 12.
Aliarabi, H., Bayervand, M., Bahari, A., Zamani, P., Fadayifar, A. and Alimohamady, R. 2017. Effect of feeding slow-release bolus of zinc, selenium and cobalt on growth performance and some blood metabolites of Markhoz male goats. Iranian Journal of Animal Science, 47: 507-517. (In Persian).
Aliarabi, H. and Fadayifar, A. 2015. Effect of feeding slow-release bolus of zinc, selenium and cobalt on some blood parameters and performance of male and female lambs. Iranian Animal Science Research, 7: 23-33. (In Persian).
Aliarabi, H., Fadayifar, A., Alimohamady, R. and Dezfoulian, A.H. 2018. The effect of maternal supplementation of zinc, selenium, and cobalt as slow-release ruminal bolus in late pregnancy on some blood metabolites and performance of ewes and their lambs. Biological Trace Element Research, 1-8.
Alimohamady, R., Aliarabi, H., Bahari, A. and Dezfoulian, A.H. 2013. Influence of different amounts and sources of selenium supplementation on performance, some blood parameters, and nutrient digestibility in lambs. Biological trace Element Research, 154: 45-54.
Amanlou, H., Khebri, M., Rostami, B., Eslamian Farsuni, N., Amirabadi Farahani, T. and Khalili, M. 2020. Effects of feeding different trace mineral sources on performance and health of‎ Afshari ewes and lambs. Iranian Journal of animal Science, 51: 183-192. (In Persian).
Andres, S., Mane, M., Sanchez, J., Barrera, R. and Jimenez, A. 1997. Changes in GSHPx and muscle enzyme activities in lambs with nutritional myodegeneration following a single treatment with sodium selenite. Small Ruminant Research, 23: 183-186.
Ayar, A., Sert, D. and Akın, N. 2009. The trace metal levels in milk and dairy products consumed in middle Anatolia Turkey. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 152: 1-12.
Balicka-Ramisz, A., Pilarczyk, B., Ramisz, A. and Wieczorek, M. 2006. Effects of selenium administration on blood serum Se content and on selected reproductive characteristics of sheep. Archives Animal Breeding, 49: 176-180.
Banerjee, R. and Chowdhury, S. 1999. Methylmalonyl-CoA mutase. Chemistry and Biochemistry of B12, 707-729.
Basini, G. and Tamanini, C. 2000. Selenium stimulates estradiol production in bovine granulosa cells: possible involvement of nitric oxide. Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 18: 1-17.
Bishehsari, S., Tabatabaei, M.M., Aliarabi, H., Alipour, D., Zamani, P. and Ahmadi, A. 2010. Effect of dietary cobalt supplementation on plasma and rumen metabolites in Mehraban lambs. Small Ruminant Research, 90: 170-173.
Cappai, M.G., Liesegang, A., Dimauro, C., Mossa, F. and Pinna, W. 2019. Circulating electrolytes in the bloodstream of transition Sarda goats make the difference in body fluid distribution between single vs. twin gestation. Research in Veterinary Science, 123: 84-90.
Dalir-Naghadeh, B, and Rezaei, S.A. 2008. Assessment of serum thyroid hormone concentrations in lambs with selenium deficiency myopathy. American Journal ofVeterinary Research, 69: 659-663.
Davis, P., McDowell, L., Wilkinson, N., Buergelt, C., Van Alstyne, R., Weldon, R., Marshall, T. and Matsuda-Fugisaki, E. 2008. Comparative effects of various dietary levels of Se as sodium selenite or Se yeast on blood, wool, and tissue Se concentrations of wether sheep. Small Ruminant Research, 74: 149-158.
Dezfoulian, A. and Aliarabi, H. 2017. A comparison between different concentrations and sources of cobalt in goat kid nutrition. Animal, 11: 600-607.
Frutos, P., Toral, P.G., Ramos-Morales, E., Shingfield, K.J., Belenguer, A. and Hervás, G. 2014. Oral administration of cobalt acetate alters milk fatty acid composition, consistent with an inhibition of stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase in lactating ewes. Journal of Dairy Science, 97: 1036-1046.
Gabryszuk, M. and Klewiec, J. 2002. Effect of injecting 2-and 3-year-old ewes with selenium and selenium–vitamin E on reproduction and rearing of lambs. Small Ruminant Research, 43: 127-132.
Graulet, B., Matte, J.J., Desrochers, A., Doepel, L., Palin, M.F. and Girard, C.L. 2007. Effects of dietary supplements of folic acid and vitamin B12 on metabolism of dairy cows in early lactation. Journal of Dairy Science, 90: 3442-3455.
Habeeb, A., El-Tarabany, A. and Gad, A. 2013. Effect of zinc levels in diet of goats on reproductive efficiency, hormonal levels, milk yield and growth aspects of their kids. Global Veterinaria, 10: 556-564.
Hackbart, K., Ferreira, R., Dietsche, A., Socha, M., Shaver, R., Wiltbank, M. and Fricke, P. 2010. Effect of dietary organic zinc, manganese, copper, and cobalt supplementation on milk production, follicular growth, embryo quality, and tissue mineral concentrations in dairy cows. Journal of Animal Science, 88: 3856-3870.
Hefnawy, A.E.G. and Tórtora-Pérez, J. 2010. The importance of selenium and the effects of its deficiency in animal health. Small Ruminant Research, 89: 185-192.
Imani, M., Aliarabi, H., Alipour, D. and Fadayifar, A. 2020. Influence of different levels of selenium as a slow release bolus pre-mating on‎ performance and some blood metabolites of Lori Bakhtiari ewes. Iranian Journal of Animal Science, 51: 69-79. (In Persian).
Kachuee, R., Moeini, M. and Souri, M. 2014. Effects of organic and inorganic selenium supplementation during late pregnancy on colostrum and serum Se status, performance and passive immunity in Merghoz goats. Animal Production Science, 54: 1016-1022.
Kadim, I.T., Johnson, E.H., Mahgoub, O., Srikandakumar, A., Al-Ajmi, D., Ritchie, A., Annamalai, K. and Al-Halhali, A.S. 2003. Effect of low levels of dietary cobalt on apparent nutrient digestibility in Omani goats. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 109: 209-216.
Karlengen, I.J., Taugbøl, O., Salbu, B., Aastveit, A.H. and Harstad, O.M. 2013. Effect of different levels of supplied cobalt on the fatty acid composition of bovine milk. British Journal of Nutrition, 109: 834-843.
Khorrami, Z., Aliarabi, H., Farahavar, A. and Fadayifar, A. 2021. The effect of slow-release bolus of zinc and selenium or daily feeding of salts of these elements on the performance of pregnant ewes and their lambs. Research on Animal Production (Scientific and Research): 0-9. (In Persian).
Köhrle, J. 1999. The trace element selenium and the thyroid gland. Biochimie, 81: 527-533.
Kojouri, G. and Shirazi, A. 2007. Serum concentrations of Cu, Zn, Fe, Mo and Co in newborn lambs following systemic administration of vitamin E and selenium to the pregnant ewes. Small Ruminant Research, 70: 136-139.
Koyuncu, M. and Yerlikaya, H. 2007. Effect of selenium-vitamin E injections of ewes on reproduction and growth of their lambs. South African Journal of Animal Science, 37: 233-236.
Kumar, N., Garg, A., Dass, R., Chaturvedi, V., Mudgal, V. and Varshney, V. 2009. Selenium supplementation influences growth performance, antioxidant status and immune response in lambs. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 153: 77-87.
Kumar, N., Garg, A.K., Mudgal, V., Dass, R.S., Chaturvedi, V.K. and Varshney, V.P. 2008. Effect of different levels of selenium supplementation on growth rate, nutrient utilization, blood metabolic profile, and immune response in lambs. Biological Trace Element Research, 126: 44-56.
Matte, J., Girard, C., Bilodeau, R. and Robert, S. 1990. Effects of intramuscular injections of folic acid on serum folates, haematological status and growth performance of growing-finishing pigs. Reproduction Nutrition Development, 30: 103-114.
Meyer, A., Reed, J., Neville, T., Thorson, J., Maddock-Carlin, K., Taylor, J., Reynolds, L., Redmer, D., Luther, J. and Hammer, C. 2011. Nutritional plane and selenium supply during gestation affect yield and nutrient composition of colostrum and milk in primiparous ewes. Journal of Animal Science, 89: 1627-1639.
Mills, C. 1981. Cobalt deficiency and cobalt requirements of ruminants. Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition, 129-141.
Moeini, M.M., Kiani, A., Mikaeili, E. and Shabankareh, H.K. 2011. Effect of prepartum supplementation of selenium and vitamin E on serum Se, IgG concentrations and colostrum of heifers and on hematology, passive immunity and Se status of their offspring. Biological Trace Element Research, 144: 529-537.
Norouzian, M., Malaki, M. and Khadem, A. 2014. Effects of the parenteral administration of cobalt, copper and iron in late pregnancy on ewe hematology and lamb vigour. Iranian Journal of Applied Animal Science, 4: 285-289.
Owen, E., Kitalyi, A., Jayasuriya, N. and Smith, T. Improving the husbandry of animals kept by resource-poor people in developing countries. 2005, Livestock and Wealth Creation, Hobbs Hampshire, England. 601pp.
Paszkowski, T., Traub, A., Robinson, S. and McMaster, D. 1995. Selenium dependent glutathione peroxidase activity in human follicular fluid. Clinical Chimical Acta, 236: 173-180.
Pechova, A., Sevcikova, L., Pavlata, L. and Dvorak, R. 2012. The effect of various forms of selenium supplied to pregnant goats on selected blood parameters and on the concentration of Se in urine and blood of kids at the time of weaning. Veterinární Medicína, 57:393-403.
Rabiee, A., Lean, I., Stevenson, M. and Socha, M. 2010. Effects of feeding organic trace minerals on milk production and reproductive performance in lactating dairy cows: A meta-analysis. Journal of Dairy Science, 93: 4239-4251.
Rashnoo, M., Rahmati, Z., Azarfar, A. and Fadayifar, A. 2020. The effects of maternal supplementation of selenium and iodine via slow-release blouses in late pregnancy on milk production of goats and performance of their kids. Italian Journal of Animal Science, 19: 502-513.
Rizzo, A., Minoia, G., Trisolini, C., Manca, R. and Sciorsci, R. 2007. Concentrations of free radicals and beta-endorphins in repeat breeder cows. Animal Reproduction Science, 100: 257-263.
SAS, S. 2004. STAT 9.1 user's guide. SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC: 1291-1320.
Suttle, N.F. 2010.Mineral Nutrition of livestock. ed. 2. Cabi.
Tufarelli, V. and Laudadio, V. 2011. Dietary supplementation with selenium and vitamin E improves milk yield, composition and rheological properties of dairy Jonica goats. Journal of Dairy Research, 78: 144-148.
Uchida, K., Mandebvu, P., Ballard, C., Sniffen, C. and Carter, M. 2001. Effect of feeding a combination of zinc, manganese and copper amino acid complexes, and cobalt glucoheptonate on performance of early lactation high producing dairy cows. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 93: 193-203.
Vignola, G., Lambertini, L., Mazzone, G., Giammarco, M., Tassinari, M., Martelli, G. and Bertin, G. 2009. Effects of selenium source and level of supplementation on the performance and meat quality of lambs. Meat Science, 81: 678-685.
Zervas, G. 1988. Treatment of dairy sheep with soluble glass boluses containing copper, cobalt and selenium. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 19: 79-83.
Journal of Ruminant Research
Volume 10, Issue 4
February 2023
Pages 71-88

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics