EFFECTS OF DIETARY SELENIUM SUPPLEMENTATION ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF SOWS

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ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary selenium (se) supplementation on the reproductive performance of sows, preweaning growth performance of their piglets, haematological and antioxidant status of pigs. Twelve (12) crossbred sows (Landrace × Large White) aged 1-2 years with an average body weight  (BW) of 56.1 ± 5kg were randomly allotted to four treatment groups of three sows  per  treatment in a completely randomised design (CRD). The treatment groups comprised T0 (no Se supplementation),  and T1, T2, T3 administered  with 0.30  mg/Kg  selenium‐methionine  during second  trimester  of gestation, third trimester of gestation and lactation respectively. Selenium supplementation significantly (P<0.05) improved reproductive efficiency as measured by larger litter size (T0; 5.67 ± 0.33, T1; 6.00 ±  92.47,   T2; 7.66 ± 1.20, T3; 8.33 ± 8.33) reduced mortality,( T0; 2.33 ± 0.33%, T1; 1.00 ±

0.49%, T2; 0.66 ± 0.33%, T3; 0.47 ± 3.05%),   and increased litter weight at weaning (T0;  5.07 ±

5.92 kg, T1; 5.79 ± 0.02kg, T2; 5.76 ± 2.64kg, T3; 5.93 ± 1.85kg), in the Selenium treated groups

when  compared  to  the  control  group.  Haematological  parameters  were  not  significant (P>0.05)   among   treatments   during   the  second   trimester   of  gestation.   However,   Se supplementation  significantly  (P<0.05)  increased  Pack  Cell  Volume  (PCV)  (T0;  32.50  ±

0.25%, T1; 38.50 ± 0.08%, T2; 37.00 ± 1.00%, T3; 34.50 ± 0.50%) and Red Blood Cell (RBC) (T0;

131.50 ± 28.5, T1; 185.0 ± 35.0, T2; 177.5 ± 32.5, T3; 210.0 ± 20.0) during the third trimester and Red Blood Cell (RBC) (T0; 108.0 ± 2.00, T1; 165.0± 15.0, T2; 175.0 ± 5.00, T3; 165.0± 5.00) and White Blood  Cell  (WBC)  (T0;  22.07±0.44,  T1;  11.20±0.80,  T2;  9.00±  1.00,  T3;  10.00±3.60)  during lactation.  All  Se  supplemented  groups  showed  significantly  increased  plasma  Selenium concentration  in all stages  compared  with the control.  Dietary selenium  supplementation significantly increased plasma Glutathione –S- Reductase, Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity during lactation (T3) and significantly (P<0.05) decreased plasma Malondialdehyde (MDA) (T0; 3.76 ± 1.74, T1; 0.12 ± 0.03, T2; 0.11±0.35, T3; 4.36 ± 0.62), (T0; 7.26 ± 0.08, T1; 3.60 ±

0.22, T2; 3.70 ± 0.27, T3; 2.27 ± 0.11),content in the third tremester of gestation and Lactation

respectively. Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and catalase activity in all treatment groups was significantly (P<0.05) different compared to the control. From these results, it was concluded that  dietary  selenium  supplementation  increased  reproductive  efficiency  and  enhanced haematological and serum anti-oxidant enzyme activities of pigs especially during gestation and lactation.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0     INTRODUCTION

Food security refers to the availability of food and one’s access to it and it exists when all people, at all times, have physical,  social and economic access to sufficient,  safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life (WHO, 1996). As human population continues to grow, with the greatest growth expected in countries that are already suffering from chronic hunger and malnutrition, there will be need to ensure food safety for all and especially the more susceptible sector of human population (Adeola and Olukori, 2009). It is a well known fact that the growth rate of human population far exceeds that of animal protein supply and this great disparity creates a problem for food security.  Consequently,  the  demand  for  animal  protein  exceeds  the  supply  (Ikani  and Dewfang, 2004).

The present average daily protein intake among Nigerians is 45.5g per head per day as against the FAO’s recommended  minimum  intake of 62g per head per day (FAO, 1996). Similarly, the International Conference on Nutrition (ICN) reported that low income rural and semi urban adult dweller in Nigeria consumed less than 60% of their caloric need (which is

2400Kcal/head/day) and less than 40% of their protein needs (ICN, 1992). It seems apparent that  animal  protein  intake  of  average  Nigerian  has  not  yet  improved  over  the  years irrespective of government policies towards achieving food security in Nigeria. This therefore suggests more radical approach to the problem.

Pig production which is recently on the increase is part of the efforts and one of the fastest means of bridging the prevailing animal protein deficiency gap which has developed over the years due to increasing population (Serres, 1992). Eusebio, (1980) described the pig as one of the most prolific and fast growing livestock that can convert food waste to valuable product. Their annual growth rate (3.8%) is higher than that of the human population (2.3-

2.8%)  (Shaib  et al., 1997).  Pigs  excel other  animals,  such as cattle,  sheep  and  goats  in converting feed to flesh (Ikani and Defwang, 1995). Pigs have unique potentials as possible solutions  to  Nigerian  meat  supply  situation  because  of  their  high  fertility  rate,  short generation interval,  high litter size and growth rate, high efficient carcass  yield and easy adaptation to environmental conditions (Balogun, 1981, Adekunle, 1995, Ugwu et al., 1997). Despite these attributes, productivity of pigs in Nigeria has been low due to the problems of poor  nutrition  caused  by inadequate,  excess  or  imbalanced  nutrient  intake,  high  cost  of feedstuff, poor health and management  and the effect of  the changing climatic conditions alongside its heavy thermal load on the animals which adversely have affected the various stages  of  the  reproductive  event  (Machebe  et  al.,  2009).  These  events  include  delayed puberty, reduced ovulation and lower  conception  rates, high embryonic and foetal losses, excessively  long post-partum  anoestrus,  poor  lactation,  high prenatal  mortality  and  poor neonatal performance etc. (Martin, 2012)

Trace minerals/ micronutrients  like Zinc, Selenium, Vitamin A, Vitamin E,  Copper and Molybdenum have been known to reduce or ameliorate these reproductive challenges in animals. For instance, Vitamin E functions as an intra-cellular antioxidant scavenging for free reactive oxygen and lipid hydroperoxides, and converting them to non-reactive forms, thus maintaining   the  integrity  of  membrane   phospholipids   against   oxidative   damage   and peroxidation (Surai, 1999). Vitamin A is known to reduce delayed puberty, low conception rate, high embryonic mortality and improve libido (Allan et at., 1999, Smith and Somade,

1994). Zinc on the other hand reduces impaired  spermatogenesis  and aid development  of secondary  sex  organs  in  males,  improves  fertility  and  litter  size  in  multiparous  species (Underwood  and  Suttle  2003).  Copper  is involved  in  steriodogenesis  and  prostaglandins secretion   which   in   turn   improves   fertility,   prevents   delayed/depressed   oestrus,   and abortion/foetal resorption (Smith and Akinbamijo 2000).

Selenium   (Se)   is  an  essential   element   playing   an  important   role   in   animal reproduction  (Surai,  2002).  It  can  be  found  in  the  body  parts  as  a  part  of  at  least  25 selenoproteins.  These  selenoproteins  are  considered  to  be  involved  in  the  regulation  of various   physiological   functions   including   anti-oxidant   protection,   regulation   of  gene expression,   thyroid   metabolism,   immune   response,   reduction   of   inflammation   and maintenance  of  sperm  structure  integrity  (Surai,  2002,  Arthur  and  Geoffrey  2003  and Schomburg  et  al.,  2004).  There  are  two  main  sources  of  selenium  in  the  diet:  organic selenium (mainly selenomethionine)  and inorganic  selenium (selenite and selenate).  Surai (2002) indicated that the organic form of selenium provides more selenium reserves in the body and a more efficient transfer to the egg in poultry and milk in lactating animals.

Feeding  selenium  to  male  farm  animals  have  shown  that  selenium  seems  to  be essential for normal spermatozoa development but little attention has been devoted to female reproductive performance.

1.1      Objectives of the study

The  broad  objective  of  this  study  was  to  evaluate  the  effect  of  dietary  selenium supplementation on the reproductive performance of sows.

1.1.2    Specific Objectives

1.   To determine  the  effect  of dietary  selenium  supplementation  on the  reproductive performance of sows.

2.   To  determine   the  effect  of  selenium   supplementation   on  pre-weaning   growth performance of piglets.

3.   To evaluate the effect of dietary selenium supplementation on the haematological and oxidative enzyme status of sows.

1.2      Justification of the Study

Pigs have unique potentials as possible solutions to Nigerian meat supply situation because of some attributes like their high fertility rate, short generation interval, high litter size and growth rate, high efficient carcass yield etc. (Balogun, 1981, Adekule, 1995, Ugwu et al., 1997). Despite these attributes, productivity of pigs in Nigeria has been low due to the problems of poor nutrition, poor health and management. The effect of the changing climatic conditions also imposes heavy thermal load on the animals with the pregnant and lactating animals at the greatest risk of being negatively affected because of their high performance level (growth of pregnancy and lactation) (Hahn, 1995).

Regarding  selenium  and  female  fertility  only  sparse  information  exists  and  little attention has been devoted to female reproductive performance, and the data are insufficient for drawing appropriate conclusion on its importance.

It therefore becomes justifiable to design a study to determine the impact and the best stage  of  gestation  (second  or  third  trimester)  or  during  lactation  for  dietary  selenium supplementation that will improve the reproductive performance of sows and growth of their piglets without any negative or detrimental effect on the physiology of the animals.

It is believed that the findings of this research if made available to farmers will help farmers  appropriate  decision  on the  effectiveness  or  otherwise  of  selenium  inclusion  as dietary  supplement  in  pig  diet  to  improve  the  reproductive  potentials  of  the  animals especially in the tropics where climatic and other environmental variables (nutrition, disease) have hindered pig productivity. It is expected that on adoption of the finding of this research by farmers, pig productivity will improve leading to an adequate supply of animal protein to consumers. It will also lead to the sustainability of food security situation in Nigeria and other developing economies of the world.



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EFFECTS OF DIETARY SELENIUM SUPPLEMENTATION ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF SOWS

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