Effect of organic selenium supplementation on growth, Se uptake, and nutrient utilization in guinea pigs.
Forty weaned male guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) of 152.6 +/- 7.96 g mean body weight were divided into four equal groups and fed a common basal diet comprised of 25% ground cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) hay, 30% ground maize (Zea mays) grain, 22% ground gram (Cicer arietinum) grain, 9.5% deoiled rice (Oryza sativa) bran, 6% soybean (Glycine max) meal, 6% fish meal, 1.5% mineral mixture (without Se), and ascorbic acid at 200 mg/kg to meet their nutrient requirements along with 0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 ppm of organic selenium (Se) in groups I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Experimental feeding lasted for a period of 10 weeks, during which, daily feed intake and weekly body weights were recorded. Intake and digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, crude fiber, and nitrogen-free extract as well as uptake of calcium and phosphorus were similar (P > 0.05) among the four groups. Feed:gain ratio was also similar (P > 0.05) in the four groups. However, digestibility of crude protein was significantly (P < 0.001) higher in group II supplemented with 0.1 ppm organic Se as compared to other three group. Intake and absorption of Se was significantly (P < 0.001) higher in all the Se supplemented groups as compared to control group. Average daily gain (ADG) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in group II (3.16 g/day) and III (3.38 g/day) as compared to group I (2.88 g/day). However, ADG in group IV (supplemented 0.3 ppm organic Se) was significantly (P < 0.05) lower (2.83 g/day) than group II and III, but comparable (P > 0.05) to group I. Findings of the present experiment suggests that Se requirements of guinea pigs are > or =0.2 ppm, as supplementation of 0.1 ppm organic Se in the diet (having 0.1 ppm Se) not only enhanced their growth rate but also improved the protein utilization.
Chaudhary
Mahima
M
Mineral and Vitamin Nutrition Laboratory, Centre of Advanced Studies in Animal Nutrition, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, 243122, UP, India.
Garg
Anil Kumar
AK
Mittal
Ganesh Kumar
GK
Mudgal
Vishal
V
D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D006168:Guinea Pigs / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D012643:Selenium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D012643:Selenium