Effects of Sel-Plex (organic selenium) and vitamin E on performance, immune response, and beef cut shelf life of feedlot steers

Date

2002-08

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Publisher

Texas Tech University

Abstract

Several experiments were designed to evaluate the differences of vitamin E level and selenium source on animal performance, selenium plasma concentrations, carcass characteristics, beef retail display, sensory characteristics, colostrum and milk components, and immunity in ruminants. Steers receiving Se yeast responded with an improvement in performance during the first 56 d, however, neither Se source nor vitamin E level affected performance over the entire 103 d experiment. Carcass quality measurements were similar among all treatments, however cattle supplemented with inorganic selenium and a moderate level of vitamin E responded with an increased loin-eye area. Lean muscle lightness of steaks aged 7, 14, and 35 d was improved with 50% less vitamin E when Se yeast was added to the diet. Steaks from steers fed no supplemental dietary Se or vitamin E, for all aging treatments, showed no difference in lean muscle lightness difference from the organic Se treatments with 125 lU and 500 lU of vitamin E nor the inorganic Se treatments at 35 d of aging. Neither selenium source nor vitamin E level influenced Warner Bratzler shear values. Selenium enriched yeast resulted in a greater Se colostrum concentration compared to inorganic Se and the control treatments, however, no differences were observed in milk Se concentration among treatments. Selenium yeast resulted in a greater colostrum Se concentration compared to inorganic Se and the control treatments, however, no differences were observed in milk Se concentration among treatments. Selenium source did not affect milk fat percentage between treatments. However, ewes supplemented with dietary inorganic Se showed a reduced colostrum (0 h) protein percentage compared to the control and the Se yeast treatments. Selenium source did not significantly affect milk lactose percentage among treatments. Additionally, non-fat solids percentage was reduced for all treatments after 6 h of lactation. Selenium source or supplementation had no affect on somatic cell count between treatments. Neither Se source nor supplementation affected ewe or lamb plasma Se or immunogloblin levels.

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