SelenoSource AF

Video 7:17 min

Supplementing Selenium in Swine

Introduction

Dairy Cattle
Beef Cattle
Swine
Broiler Chickens
Chicken Breeders
Laying Hens
Market Turkeys
Turkey Breeders
Horses

Sources of Selenium

Selenium is found naturally in plant feed ingredients, although concentrations vary greatly depending on the region in which the feedstuff originated. Selenium may be supplemented in either the organic or inorganic form.

Organic selenium is composed largely of selenomethionine, while inorganic selenium is simply a salt, usually sodium selenite or sodium selenate. Selenium-enriched yeast such as SelenoSource AF is an excellent source of organic selenium.

Selenium Status

The selenium status of pigs may be assessed by measuring the level of selenium in the milk, blood plasma or serum, whole blood, as well as blood or liver glutathione peroxidase activity.

Bioavailability of Selenium Sources

SelenoSource AF was at least 50% more bioavailable than sodium selenite.

Organic selenium as selenomethionine may be incorporated into body proteins such as muscle tissue, whereas inorganic selenium cannot.

Recommendations

Dietary requirements for selenium range from 0.3 ppm for weanling pigs to 0.15 ppm for finishing pigs and sows. Current regulation allows up to 0.3 ppm of selenium in the diet for all pigs.
Weanling Pigs: Long-term storage of inorganic Selenium is low and excess is either toxic or voided in the urine. However, inorganic selenium results in faster increase in GSH-Px. Hence, a 50:50 blend of SelenoSource AF (organic) and inorganic is recommended.
Grower Finisher Swine: Inorganic selenium is not stored in muscle proteins, whereas Selenomethionine is. Organic Selenium should improve pork quality. Hence, feeding 100% SelenoSource AF (organic) selenium is recommended.
Sows: The major transfer of selenium is to the fetus, milk or storage in the liver of the sow. There is minimal transfer of inorganic selenium to either fetus or milk. Hence, feeding 100% SelenoSource AF (organic) is recommended.