Effect of two levels of organic selenium supplementation on the nutrient digestibility of matured Boer bucks

A digestibility trial was conducted at the MARDI Jeram Pasu, Kelantan, to determine the effect of two levels of organic selenium supplementation on the apparent nutrient digestibility, nutrient balance, total digestible nutrient, and metabolizable energy of matured Boer bucks. A total of nine matured bucks (age of two years) were selected and randomly and equally allotted to three different dietary treatments: Groups A and B were supplemented with 0.3 and 0.6 mg Se/kg DM, respectively, while group C with no Se supplementation (control group). The mean initial body weight was 31.67 ±0.60 kg. They were fed a basal diet with 60% formulated pellet and 40% Brachiaria dictyoneura grass (age of 6 weeks) at 3% DM of body weight. The bucks were placed in individual metabolic cages with separated faecal and urine collection facilities. The digestibility trial was carried out for five days using a completely randomized design (CRD). Supplementation of Se at 0.3 mg/kg DM significantly increased (P<0.05) the digestibility (%) of CP and Se and the Se balance (%). Se supplementation at 0.60 mg/kg DM had significantly increased (P<0.05) the digestibility of nutrients in the Boer bucks. Se supplementation at 0.60 mg/kg had improved (P<0.05) the digestibility (%) of ash, CP, EE, CF, ADF, NDF, P, Ca, Cu and Se, as well as CP, P, Ca, Cu and Se balances. Se supplementation at 0.60 mg/kg DM also had significantly increased (P<0.05) the dietary TDN (%) and ME. In conclusion, supplementation at 0.60 mg/kg DM can influence the nutrient digestibility of matured Boer bucks.