title: Effects of copper and selenium supplementation on performance and lipid metabolism in confined brangus bulls.
abstract: Twenty-eight Brangus cattle were used to determine the effect of copper and selenium supplementation on performance, feed efficiency, composition of fatty acids in Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle, and cholesterol concentration in serum and in LD muscle and enzymes activities, reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG). The treatments were: i) Control, without copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) supplementation; ii) Se, 2 mg Se/kg of dry matter such as sodium selenite; iii) Cu, 40 mg Cu/kg of dry matter such as copper sulfate; iv) Se/Cu, 2 mg Se/kg of dry matter such as sodium selenite and 40 mg Cu/kg of dry matter such as copper sulfate. LD muscle fatty acid composition was not influenced by the treatments (p>0.05). The serum concentration of cholesterol was not influenced by the treatments (p>0.05), however, the concentration of cholesterol in LD was lower in cattle supplemented with copper and selenium (p<0.05). Oxidized glutathione and reduced glutathione increased (p<0.05) with Cu, Se and Se/Cu supplementation. The supplementation of copper (40 mg/kg DM) and selenium (2 mg/kg DM) altered the metabolism of lipids in confined Brangus cattle, through a decrease in cholesterol deposition in the LD, possibly by changing the ratio between reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione. Copper and selenium supplementation improved animal performance and feed efficiency (p<0.05) when compared to the control group, providing advantages in the production system, while also benefiting consumers by reducing cholesterol concentration in the meat.
authors: Department of Animal Science, College of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga-SP, Brazil .
authors: Arlindo Saran
authors: AS
authors: Netto
authors: Department of Animal Science, College of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga-SP, Brazil .
authors: Marcus Antônio
authors: MA
authors: Zanetti
authors: Department of Animal Science, College of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga-SP, Brazil .
authors: Gustavo Ribeiro Del
authors: GR
authors: Claro
authors: Department of Basic Science, College of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga-SP, Brazil .
authors: Mariza Pires
authors: MP
authors: de Melo
authors: Department of Nutrition and Animal Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga-SP, Brazil .
authors: Flávio Garcia
authors: FG
authors: Vilela
authors: Department of Animal Science, College of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga-SP, Brazil .
authors: Lisia Bertonha
authors: LB
authors: Correa
keywords: Cattle; Cholesterol; Fatty Acids; Minerals; Nutrition