title: Bulk tank milk selenium and its association with milk production parameters in Canadian dairy herds.
abstract: An observational study was conducted in 63 Canadian dairy farms to evaluate the association of bulk tank milk selenium (Se) concentration (BTSe) with average daily milk yield, milk fat and milk protein, bulk tank somatic cell count (BTSCC), and the probability of being a Staphylococcus aureus-positive herd. Bulk tank milk samples collected between March 2007 and February 2008 were evaluated for BTSCC, S. aureus culture status, and BTSe. Mean BTSe was 0.51 ± 0.15 μmol/L; no herds were classified as deficient or marginal based on BTSe. Bulk tank milk Se was unconditionally associated with milk production; however, adjusting by region indicated a confounding effect of this variable. There was no relationship between BTSe and BTSCC. Higher values of BTSe were associated with lower risk of being a S. aureus-positive herd, possibly as a result of a more robust udder immune response, or as a result of providing Se at a higher rate as one component of an udder health program that reduces risk of being S. aureus positive.
authors: Centre for Veterinary Epidemiological Research, Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3. alejandro.ceballos@ucaldas.edu.co
authors: Alejandro
authors: A
authors: Ceballos-Márquez
authors: Herman W
authors: HW
authors: Barkema
authors: Henrik
authors: H
authors: Stryhn
authors: Ian R
authors: IR
authors: Dohoo
authors: Gregory P
authors: GP
authors: Keefe
authors: Jeffrey J
authors: JJ
authors: Wichtel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002170:Canada; D002417:Cattle / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002452:Cell Count / Q000662:veterinary; D003612:Dairying; D005223:Fats / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology*; D008893:Milk Ejection / Q000502:physiology; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012643:Selenium / Q000032:analysis* / Q000172:deficiency; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D005223:Fats; D008894:Milk Proteins; D012643:Selenium