In this study, the effect of pre- and postpartum Selenium (Se) supplementation on Se levels of the
allantoic fluid, colostrum, milk and plasma as well as on the body weight gain of ewes and their newborn lambs
was investigated. A total of 32 pregnant primiparus Pelibuey ewes were selected and classified randomly into
3 groups. The 1st group received Subcutaneous (SC) Se supplementation with 0.1mg of sodium selenite/Kg BW
at 7th, 4th week prepartum and 1st week postpartum. The 2nd group was treated with oral Se supplementation
3 mg of sodium selenite/head/week, for 7 weeks prepartum, while the 3rd group remained as a control, without
Se supplementation. Maternal plasma samples were collected weekly for 8 weeks pre- and postpartum and at
parturition, while samples of the allantoic fluid were collected for 5 weeks prepartum. Plasma samples of the
newborn lambs were collected at 48 h of the age and weekly for 8 weeks. Samples of colostrum and then that
of the milk were collected weekly for 8 weeks for determination of Se levels. The body weight of the lambs born
to the SC Se supplemented ewes was higher than that of the control (p |
