Effects of Feeding Selenium-enriched Yeast to Beef Dams on Leukocyte Function in Their Suckling Calves'

Abstract

Twelve postpartum, nursing Angus and Hereford beef dams were divided in to2groups. In the experimental groups, feed enriched with Selenium (Se) was given to 6 dams (Se: 0.525mg/100 kg of body weight/day) for 11 weeks. The second, or control, group consisted of 6 beef dams species- and aged-matched with the dams in the experimental group and kept under the same conditions except for Sesupplementation. Suckling calves were examined for serum-Se concentration, peripheral neutrophil function, andlymphocyte blastogenesis. After 3 weeks, serum-Se concentration was significantly higher in calves ofdamsreceiving Se supplements than in those of control dams. Assays using whole blood and isolated granulocytesshowed that, at 5 weeks, in the experimental group, it took significantly less time to reach peakchemi-luminescence (CL) than it did in control calves. Furthermore, after 5 weeks, response of lymphocyte-stimulatedconcanavalin A was significantly higher in experimental animals than that in control animals. These resultssuggest that feeding dams Seenriched yeast enhances the neutrophil and lymphocyte functions of sucklingcalves, to which Se is transferred through milk.