Form of supplemental selenium fed to cycling cows affects systemic concentrations of progesterone but not those of estradiol

Katheryn L. Cerny, Les Anderson, Walter R. Burris, Michelle Rhoads, James C. Matthews, Phillip J. Bridges

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

In areas where soils are deficient in selenium (Se), dietary supplementation of this trace mineral directly to cattle is recommended. Selenium status affects fertility, and the form of Se supplemented to cows affects tissue-specific gene expression profiles. The objective of this study was to determine whether the form of Se consumed by cows would affect follicular growth and the production of steroids. Thirty-three Angus-cross cows that had ad libitum access of a mineral mix containing 35 ppm of Se in free-choice vitamin-mineral mixes as either inorganic (ISe), organic (OSe), or a 50/50 mix of ISe and OSe (MIX) for 180 days were used. After 170 days of supplementation, all cows were injected with 25-mg PGF2α to induce regression of the CL and then monitored for behavioral estrus (Day 0). From Day 4 to Day 8 after estrus, follicular growth was determined by transrectal ultrasonography. On Day 6, cows were injected with PGF2α (20 then 15 mg, 8-12 hours apart) to induce regression of the developing CL and differentiation of the dominant follicle of the first follicular wave into a preovulatory follicle. On Day 8, 36 hours after PGF2α (20 mg), the contents of the preovulatory follicle were aspirated by ultrasound-guided follicular puncture. Blood collected on Days 6 and 8 and follicular fluid collected on Day 8 was analyzed for concentrations of progesterone and estradiol. Form of Se supplemented to cows affected (P = 0.04) the systemic concentration of progesterone on Day 6, but not on Day 8. Form of Se did not affect the systemic concentration of estradiol on Day 6 or Day 8. Form of Se tended to affect (P = 0.07) the concentration of progesterone, but not that of estradiol, in the follicular fluid. Form of Se did not affect diameter of the dominant ovarian follicle on Days 4 to 6, but tended to affect (P = 0.08) the diameter of the preovulatory follicle on Day 8. Our results suggest that form of Se fed to cows affects the production of progesterone but not that of estradiol. Further investigation of organic Se-induced increases in progesterone and potentially the effects of increased progesterone on the establishment of pregnancy, especially in cows of lower fertility, is warranted.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)800-806
Number of pages7
JournalTheriogenology
Volume85
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 15 2016

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Elsevier Inc..

Funding

This research was supported by the Alltech-University of Kentucky Animal Nutrigenomics Alliance (JCM), University of Kentucky , and Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station . The information reported in this article (publication no. 15-07-122) is part of a project of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station and is published with approval of the Director. The authors would like to thank Ms. Stefani Garbacik and Mr. Cody Skees for assistance in sample collection and Dr. George Perry (South Dakota State University, Brookings SD) for analysis of samples of plasma for concentrations of estradiol.

FundersFunder number
Alltech-University of Kentucky Animal Nutrigenomics Alliance
University of Kentucky
Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station

    Keywords

    • CL
    • Cattle
    • Follicle
    • Selenium
    • Steroidogenesis

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Small Animals
    • Food Animals
    • Animal Science and Zoology
    • Equine

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