Sel-Plex in Beef Diets
Dr. Sim o n J. Tim m e rm a ns
Why do beef cattle have trouble maintaining optimum Se status?• Feed ingredients and forages vary in naturally-
occurring Se• Rumen bugs reduce selenite, leaving less than 25%
available to animal
• Inorganic Se can not be stored, leaving animal with tissue reserves
• Classic Se-related deficiencies persist despite supplementation with 0.3 ppm inorganic Se
Symptoms of Selenium Deficiency in Cattle
Animal Symptoms
Newborn and Young Calves
WMD Low Growth RatesUnthriftiness Poor SurvivalWeak Calf Syndrome
Growing Calves
Unthrifitness Weight loss and diarrheaSub-Optimal Performance Decreased immune responseIncreased Susceptibilty to BRD
Cows Retained Placenta Metritis and Cystic OvariesStill born calves Infertility
Early Embryonic Deaths
Bulls Low Sperm Motility
Sel-Plex Benefits for Beef
• Immune function• Reproductive health• Reduced retained placentas• Fertility and sperm quality• Calf health and vitality• Improved meat quality • Less drip loss• Nutritional value of meat
3 Problem Areas on Beef Operations
1. Reproduction2. Immunity3. Viability in
early postnatal life
Se Relationship to Male Fertility is Well Understood
Both Antioxidant and Structural Roles • Selenium is preferentially retained
in testes
• Antioxidant role of PH-GSH-Px• during sperm maturation
• Structural role of insoluble PH-GSH-Px • in sperm mid-piece
• Selenium plays a role in sperm caps enzyme capability
Se deficient
Normal
Replacement Heifer and Cow Fertility
• Sel-Plex increased reproductive performance– Decreased days to first breeding– Decreased calving interval– Less services per conception– Reduced incidences of RP
(Groenewegen et al., 2007)(Qiang et al., 2007)
Selenium and the Pre-Parturient Cow
• At calving tissue reserves at lowest• Se deficiency in dam can lead to poor/weak
calves, depressed immune system, and thyroid problems
• Calf Se status depends on dam:– little inorganic crosses placenta– only organic form of Se (such as Sel-Plex) can be
effectively transferred from cow to calf via colostrum and milk
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
RP (%) Metritis (%) Fever (%) Mastitis (%) Ketosis (%) Endometritis(%)
Inc
iden
ce
(%
)
Inorganic Se
Sel-Plex
Source effects: P>0.10 for all measures
Cerri et al. 2006. J. Dairy Sci. 89(Suppl. 1):53 (Abstr.)
Sel-Plex on Fresh Cow Problems
Serum IgM Content of Cows at Parturition
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Cow serum
20 ppm (Selenite)60 ppm (Selenite)120 ppm (Selenite)60 ppm (Sel-Plex)
Awadeh et al,1998 JAS
Maternal Se Status at Calving:Inorganic NaSe vs. Sel-Plex
0.049
0.08
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
Selenite, 6 mg/d
Sel-Plex, 6 mg/d
Se, ug/L
3.68
3.91
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
4Selenite, 6 mg/d
Sel-Plex, 6 mg/d
U/ml
Higher GSH-Px activity Higher whole blood Se
Hemken et al., 1998
Plasma Selenium Concentration of Dams
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Pla
sma
Se
( μ
g/L
)
Start Calving
Sel-Plex 0.5 ppm Na-Se 0.5 ppm Na-Se 0.1 ppmGuyot et al., 2006
abMeans differ P < 0.05
Se Concentration in Colostrum and Milk
0
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.1
0.12
0.14
0.16
0.18
0.2
Se
( μ
g/L
)
Birth D 75
Sel-Plex 0.5 ppm Na-Se 0.5 ppm Na-Se 0.1 ppm Goyot et al., 2006c
abMeans differ P < 0.05
Neonatal Diarrhea Incidence in Calves
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Fre
qu
ency
%
Sel-Plex 0.5 Na-Se 0.5 Na-Se 0.1
Odds ratio: 10.2 for Sel-Plex 0.5 versus Na-Se 0.1. Probability of diarrhea almost 10-fold higher in Na-Se 0.1
group vs. Sel-Plex 0.5
Gyot et al., 2006
abMeans differ P < 0.05
Average Daily Gain of Calves
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
Fre
qu
ency
%
Sel-Plex 0.5 Na-Se 0.5 Na-Se 0.1
715aa
556bb
510bb
Gyot et al., 2006
abMeans differ P < 0.05
Calf Liver Se at Birth
250
500
750
1000
1250
Tis
sue
Se,
ug
/kg
Control
Deposel
Mu-Se
Sodium Selenite
Sel-Plex
Bars with different letters differ (P < 0.05)Davis et al., 2005
Calf Whole Blood Se Over Time
0
50
100
150
200
0 50 100 150 200
Calf Age, d
Blo
od
Se,
ug
/L
Control
Deposel
Mu-Se
Sodium Selenite
Sel-Plex
Davis et al., 2005
Weaning Weight, 205 d
400
410
420
430
440
450
460470
480
490
BW
T, l
bs
Control
Deposel
Mu-Se
Sodium Selenite
Sel-Plex
Davis et al., 2005
Se/Thyroid Responses and Cold Resistance
• Se-deficient calves born in cold weather are more sensitive to cold.
• Non-shivering thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue keeps neonates warm in early life
• Thyroid hormone (T3) stimulates heat production
Stress Increases Incidence of Disease
When a cow is stressed, his body activates a stress adaptation response.
This response causes an increased level of cortisone in the blood, which results in an inhibition of the cow’s immune response which makes him more susceptible to infection.
Blood Se and GSH-Px IncreaseNo Se Selenite Sel-Plex No Se
vs. SeNa Se vs. SP
P Value
Whole Blood Se, ng/mL (cows)
Early December 101 111 122 0.18 0.38
Early February 108 142 174 0.003 0.01
April 93 150 187 0.003 0.03
Whole blood Se, ng.mL (calves)
Birth 105 134 203 0.01 0.02
Late May 51 66 122 0.06 0.05
Sel-Plex Can Improve Immune Function in Calves
Item No Se Na Se Sel-Plex SE
Whole blood Se, ng/ml 54.7a 105.0b 172.0c 8.4
GSH-Px, EU/g Hb1 40.2a 119.1b 143.9b 19.4
Macrophage phagocytosis, % 2 5.0a 4.2a 9.2b 0.83
1EU/g Hb = nanomoles of NADPH oxidized min/gm of hemoglobin.2% of macrophages that phagocytized at least one porcine RBC.abcLS means within rows with differing superscripts differ (P<0.01).
Sel-Plex Improves Active Immune Response in Calves
0123456789
10
Mac
roph
age
Pha
gocy
tosi
s, %
No Se Selenite Sel-Plex
Gunter et al., University of Arkansas
Problems with Receiving Calves
• Stress associated with weaning, transportation• Exposure to several challenges due to co-mingling• Low feed intake during stress• Most common disease: BRD
The Importance of Passive Immune Transfer
An
tib
od
y c
on
cen
trati
on
Time1 d 14 d
Passive immunity (colostrum)
High risk period
Active immunity (immune system)
When and Why Do Calves Die?
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Scours Resp Joint Other Unk.
Cause
• 61% scours
• 25% pneumonia
• 14% other/ unknown
• 27% within first week of life
• 21% within second week
• 14% third week
62% of all deaths by 21 days of age.
Thomas, 2006
abMeans differ P < 0.050
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Fre
qu
ency
%
Sel-Plex 0.5 Na-Se 0.5 Na-Se 0.1
Neonatal Diarrhea Incidence in Calves
Odds ratio: 10.2 for Sel-Plex 0.5 versus Na-Se 0.1. Probability of diarrhea almost 10-fold higher in Na-Se 0.1 group vs. Sel-Plex 0.5
6aa
21bb
35bb
Gyot et al., 2006
Average Daily Gain of SteersDays 0 – 28, Receiving Period
1.7
1.8
1.9
2
2.1
2.2
2.3
No Se, E Sel-Plex +125 E
Sel-Plex +250 E
Sel-Plex +500 E
Selenite +250 E
Selenite +500 E
lbs/
da
y
Sel-Plex vs. Selenite, P < 0.09
Sel-Plex 125 E vs. Selenite 500 E, P < 0.05
Sel-Plex 250 E vs. Selenite 500 E, P < 0.01
1.9
2.2 2.2
2.0
2.1
1.9
Summary• Current recommendations may be too low for
optimum health, reproductive function and immunity
• Mineral deficiencies can be due to interferences (high iron, sulfur) as well as low levels in feeds and forages
• It is more economical to maintain adequate mineral status than to try to catch up
• Residual effects of a sound mineral program adds value to your calf crop
Move beyond basic to optimum performance
• Better Immunity
• Improved Fertility
• Increased Viability
Aloysius Ibeagha, Jali l Mehrzad, Eveline Ibeagha-Awemu and Xin Zhao
The effect of dietary supplementation of selenium on the immune functions of bovine polymorphornuclear leukocytes
Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Quebec, Canada
• Introduction to Selenium and immune
function
• The question and objective
• Experiment design and Results
• Take-home message
Selenium
• Exists in several inorganic states: Se2− Se4+
Se6+ (selenide, Selenite and Selenate)
• Is a micro or trace Mineral: provided to the animal as: ppm = mg/kg
• Is similar to and replace sulfur in amino acids: selenomethionine, selenocysteine and selenocystine
• Selenium is incorporated as selenocysteine into a wide range of selenoproteins. At least 50 have been identified. Not so many have been identified in bovine.
• This amino acid is specifically coded for in the mRNA of selenoproteins.
• Selenocysteine UGA• Stop codon UGA
Selenocysteine
Selenium Supplementation
• Two forms of Se: inorganic
Se (Selenite and Selenate) and organic Se
• The organic Se shows higher capacity of assimilation and
bioavailability when compared to the inorganic form (Weiss
and Hogan, 2005; Juniper et al., 2006).
• Their metabolisms are also different.
•
Selenium dependent enzymes
• Glutathione peroxidase GSH + H2O2 GSSG + H2O
• Iodothyronine deiodinases
• Thioredoxin Reductase
• Selenophosphate Synthetase
• Selenoprotein P
• Selenoprotein W, etc
Physiological functions Physiological functions of Selenium of Selenium • acts as an antioxidant
• is involved in thyroid hormone metabolism
• participates in redox reactions
• improves immune functions- Improves killing ability of neutrophils
- Reduces the prevalence and severity of mastitis
Selenium Supplementation
• The level of Se supplementation varies from country to country and is determined largely by the Se status in feedstuff as influenced by soil Se status.
• Both sources of Se can be supplemented at 0.3 mg Se/ Kg of DM in Canada and the United States and 0.5 mg Se/Kg of DM in the EU.
Neutrophils form the first line of immune defense against invading pathogens in mammary glands
During intramammary infection, Neutrophils form > 95% milk somatic cells
Dosogneet al., 2003.
Function of neutrophils: Phagocytosis
nucleus
pseudopodia
vacuoles
enzyme sac
bacteria
Neutrophil Bactericidal Functions
Oxygen-dependentOxygen-independent(Degranulation)
Bacterial Killing
Superoxide anionHydrogen peroxideHydroxyl radial
Release ofgranule contents
phagosomes Extracellular environment
(Trowbridge & Emling, 1997)
• Introduction to Selenium and immune
function
• The question and objective
• Experiment design and Results
• Take-home message
ObservationSel-Plex® reduced somatic cell counts in milk (Harrison et al., 2005)
QuestionHow does Sel-Plex® affect neutrophil functions?
ObjectivesTo compare the effect of supplemented inorganic and organic selenium on neutrophil functions in high producing dairy cows during the periparturient period.
•
• Introduction to Selenium and immune
function
• The question and objective
• Experiment design and Results
• Take-home message
Experimental Design
Group 1 : Control with no Se supplementation
Group 2 : Low level of organic Se (0.3 mg/DM)Group 3 : High level of organic Se (0.5 mg/Kg DM)Selplex 2000 (Alltech Inc.)
Group 4 : Low level of inorganic Se (0.3 mg/Kg DM)Group 5 : High level of inorganic Se (0.5 mg/Kg DM).sodium selenite as the inorganic form.
The experiment started 4 wks before parturition and finished 4 wks after parturition
This is an on-going trial, the final results are expected in July, 2007.
•
Parameters to be measured
• Milk somatic cell counts (SCC)• Oxidative burst • Apoptosis and necrosis • Phagocytosis• Total protein content of milk• Total fat content of milk• Total milk production • Plasma (cows and calves) Se concentration• Milk (and colostrum) Se concentration• Se content in DM (feed)
Organic Se reduces somatic cell counts (SCC)
Phagocytosis was performed using a Phagotest kit. It uses an opsonized FITC-labeled E. coli bacteria which is applied to heparinized whole blood samples to determine phagocytosis.
Phagocytosis
Phagocytosis in control samples (top) and treated samples (bottom)
There is no difference among groups for phagocytosis
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Inorganic Se Organic Se
Se supplementation (mg/Kg DM)
Ph
ag
oc
yto
sis
(%
)
Control
0.3
0.5
Oxidative burst was performed using a Bursttest (Phagoburst) kit.
Escherichia coli bacteria was used to activate heparinized whole blood for 10 min at 38.5 ºC followed by incubation with a fluorogenic substrate dihydrorhodamine (DHR) 123 at 38.5 ºC for another 10 min.
DHR 123 determines the percentage of phagocytic cells which produce reactive oxidants (conversion of DHR 123 to Rhodamine 123) and their enzymatic activity.
•
•
Oxidative burst
Organic Se increases oxidative burst
Apoptosis and necrosis assays were done by dual-colour FCM procedure using FITC-labeled Annexin V and PI.
Q3
Q1
Q4
Q2
Hypothetical apoptotic and necrotic assay for dual Annexin Vand PI flourochromes showing various quadrants.
Apoptosis and necrosis
Organic Se reduces neutrophil apoptosis
Organic Se increases live cell % in comparison with
inorganic SeInorganic 0.3 81.3
Inorganic 0.5 79.7
Organic 0.3 92
Organic 0.5 96
Control 94
• Introduction to Selenium and immune
function
• The question and objective
• Experiment design and Results
• Take-home message
Take-home message• Organic Se performed better than inorganic
Se based on its oxidative capacity, apoptosis and cell survival ability. These will lead to more efficient killing of bacteria by neutrophils.
• The precise role of Se in modulating bovine cellular immunity appears to be complex. Only when all the selenoproteins have been identified and characterized can we fully understand the role of Se in host resistance.
• We recommend that Se be supplemented at a level of 0.5 mg/Kg DM to boost the cow’s immune system. Furthermore, organic Se should be used.
We thank Alltech Inc. for sponsoring this project.
Top Related