Organic vs. inorganic selenium
Pigs suffer from selenium deficiencies at certain stages of their lives. Even supplementing their diets with inorganic selenium does not overcome the problem. Serum selenium levels always drop after weaning and do not increase again until grower finisher stages, when muscle is already formed and selenium requirements drop.
Typically, selenium deficiency shows up as white muscle which turns pink when exposed to oxygen. This indicates a shortage of oxygen carrying capacity. Very often there is also a buildup of fluid in the heart sac.
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Experiments with grain grown in Michigan, a selenium-deficient area, and South Dakota, where selenium is adequate, show the difference between inorganic and organic selenium in pig tissue.
Organic selenium is retained by tissue while the inorganic material is not. Inorganic selenium is readily absorbed but poorly retained.
University studies have shown organic selenium is superior to inorganic in terms of:
- immune response
- higher hemoglobin levels (greater oxygen-carrying capacity)
- improved fertility.
Typical effects of selenium deficiencies in sows are:
- reduced milk initiation
- weak, lethargic pigs
- low interest in nursing.
Selenium deficiency is widespread, but severity varies from one area to another.
Pigs can be so low on selenium that sow muscle strength causes long birth times, and piglets’ jaws are so weak they do not wish to suck.
Organic selenium can overcome all of these problems and possibly do away with the need for selenium injection. In the future, earlier weaning and high sow productivity demands will only increase the nutritional requirements for selenium.
– Alltech, Inc.
