Performance and health of calves fed organic selenium

• Grant number: 08/09498-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: June 01, 2009
• End date: May 31, 2010
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Animal Nutrition and Feeding
• Principal Investigator: Márcia Saladini Vieira Salles
• Grantee: Márcia Saladini Vieira Salles
• Host Institution: Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA). Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Previous research has demonstrated that Se increases immune system of animals. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of supplement organic Se for young calves high than the requirements in ration or milk to observe the immune response, diseases and performance. Trial will be in APTA - Ribeirão Preto/SP Brazil with 30 young Jersey calves during 75 days on treatments: control (C); additional organic Se in milk (SeM); additional organic Se in ration (SeR). Calves will receive four liters of milk/day and 0,5 kg starter/day during 30 days and two liter of milk and 1 kg starter/day during 30 to 75 trial days, after that all calves will be weaned. Weight gain and calves blood will be measured and collected at beginning, 30 and 75 days of trial and dry matter ingestion every day. Haematocrit, macrophage and neutrophilos activities will be measured in blood samples. Disease will be checked regularly. (AU)