Effects of different selenium sources on growth performance and serum biochemical parameters in beef cattle

SU Yaquan; JU Rongcheng; ZHOU Bowu; GU Zuhua; LI Yitu; XIONG Biao

doi:10.13557/j.cnki.issn1002-2813.2025.22.002

Abstract：This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of different selenium sources on the growth performance and serum biochemical parameters in beef cattle.Forty healthy Simmental crossbred finishing cattle with similar initial body weights were randomly divided into four groups,with five replicates per group,and two cattle per replicate.The control group was fed a basal diet,while the experimental groups were supplemented with sodium selenite,selenium-enriched yeast,and nano-selenium in the basal diet(all added in equal amounts at a selenium level of 0.3 mg/kg).The pre-test period was seven days,and the formal test period was 60 days.The results showed that there were no significant differences in final body weight(FBW),average daily gain(ADG),dry matter intake(DMI),and feed-to-gain ratio(F/G)of beef cattle among the groups(P＞0.05).Compared with the control group,all experimental groups serum activities of alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST),as well as the levels of total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),and creatinine(CR)were significantly lower(P＜0.05),while there were no significant differences in serum total protein(TP),albumin(ALB),and urea nitrogen(BUN)levels(P＞0.05).The serum alkaline phosphatase(ALP)activity and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)content in the nano-selenium group were significantly higher than the other groups(P＜0.05).Serum total bilirubin(TBIL)content in selenium-enriched yeast and nano-selenium groups was significantly higher than the other groups(P＜0.05).The serum levels of immunoglobulin A(IgA),immunoglobulin M(IgM),interleukin-4(IL-4),and interleukin-10(IL-10)in all experimental groups were significantly increased(P＜0.05),the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interferon-γ(IFN-γ)were significantly reduced(P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,the serum immunoglobulin G(IgG)content and total superoxide dismutase(T-SOD)activity were significantly increased,and malondialdehyde(MDA)content was significantly reduced in selenium-enriched yeast and nano-selenium groups(P＜0.05).The study shows that dietary supplementation with different selenium sources does not affect the growth performance and protein metabolism in beef cattle,it can improve liver function and lipid metabolism,enhance immune and antioxidant functions.Among them,the comprehensive effect of nano-selenium is better.