Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Inorganic and Organic Selenium on Intake and Utilization of Nutrients in Lambs

To investigate and compare the effect of supplementation of inorganic and organic selenium (Se), eighteen male lambs of about 8–9 months of age and 24.68±2.89 kg mean body weight were divided into three equal groups of six animals in each following randomized block design. While animals in the control group (T0) were fed a standard total mixed ration (TMR) containing 65 parts of concentrate mixture (CM) and 35 parts of wheat straw (WS), animals in group T1 and T2 were additionally supplemented with 0.15 ppm Se either through sodium selenite (inorganic Se) or Jevsel-101 (organic Se). CM contained 30% crushed maize grain, 27% soybean meal, 40% wheat bran, 2% mineral mixture (without Se) and 1% common salt. Experimental feeding was done for a period of 90 days including a 6 days metabolism trial. Intake and digestibility of DM, OM, CP, EE, NDF, hemicellulose; balances of Ca and P and level and intake of DCP and TDN were comparable (P>0.05) among the three groups. However, there was a significant increase in the N retention in both the Se supplemented groups as compared to control group. It was concluded that supplementation of Se, irrespective of source (organic or inorganic), had no effect on intake and utilization of different nutrients, except for improved N balance in the lambs.