Effect of different selenium sources (Selenium yeast and Sodium selenite) on haematology, blood chemistry and thyroid hormones in male goats (Capra hircus)

Present study was undertaken to elucidate the effect of selenium yeast and sodium selenite supplementation on haematology, blood biochemical parameters and hormones in goats. 18 male kids (2–3 months of age and 6.63 ± 0.30 kg average BW) were stratified by their body weight and randomly assigned to three different treatments, fed a basal diet consisting of concentrate mixture and oat straw. In addition kids in group II and III were supplemented with 0.3 mg selenium kg⁻¹DM as selenium yeast and sodium selenite respectively. This experimental feeding lasted for 180 days, during which blood samples were collected on day 0, 60, 120 and 180 days. Hemoglobin content and packed cell volume were statistically similar (P>0.05) among the three groups. Non significant differences were also observed for the serum glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, A: G ratio, urea, creatinine and total cholesterol (P>0.05) among all the groups. But, concentration of triiiodothyronine (T₃) was significantly (P<0.05) increased while concentration of thyroxin (T₄) and T₄: T₃ ratio were significantly (P<0.05) decreased in all the supplemented groups. It may be concluded that supplementation of sodium selenite and selenium yeast increased serum level of T₃ which is indicative of the better thyroid hormone homeostasis and thus the better metabolic balance to the body without affecting other blood biochemical parameters of goats.