Selenium supplementation to Awassi lambs did not improve their growth performance

Fatima A. Al-Lataifeh1, Belal S. Obeidat2, Mofleh S. Awawdeh3 and Mysaa A. Ata1
1 Department of Animal Production and Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Jerash University, Jerash 26150, Jordan
2 Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan
3 Department of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan

Abstract

Al-Lataifeh, F. A., Obeidat, B. S., Awawdeh, M. S. & Ata, M. A. (2024). Selenium supplementation to Awassi Lambs did not improve their growth performance. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 30(5), 870–874

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of selenium (Se) supplementation on growth performance of growing Awassi lambs. Twenty-five lambs were divided randomly into three groups. Lambs received the basal diet plus: no Se (CON; n = 8), 0.15 mg/lambs/day of supplemental Se to the diet as Se selenite (DSE; n = 8), or 0.5 mg/lamb of Se injection as Se selenite (ISE; n = 9). At the end of the study that lasted for 50 day, 3 lambs from each treatment randomly selected and individually housed in metabolism crates to evaluate nutrient digestibility. Nutrients (DM, OM, CP, NDF, ADF, and EE) intake of lambs and nutrient digestibility were not affected by Se supplementation. Growth performance (final body weight, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio) of lambs were similar among treatment groups. Selenium supplementation (dietary or injection) failed to improve the performance of growing Awassi lambs fed high-concentrate diets containing 0.13 mg Se /kg of dry matter.

Keywords: Awassi lambs; Growth rate; Selenium; Trace mineral

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