Effects of Different Yeast Selenium Levels on Rumen Fermentation Parameters, Digestive Enzyme Activity and Gastrointestinal Microflora of Sika Deer during Antler Growth

The aim of this experiment was to study the effects of different selenium supplemental levels on rumen fermentation microflora of sika deer at the velvet antler growth stage. A total of 20 5-year-old, healthy sika deer at the velvet antler growth stage with an average body weight of (98.08 ± 4.93) kg were randomly divided into 4 groups, and each group was fed in a single house. The SY1 group was the control group, and the SY2 group, SY3 group and SY4 group were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0.3, 1.2 and 4.8 mg/kg selenium, respectively. The pretest lasted for 7 days, and the formal trial period lasted for 110 days. The results show that: At the velvet antler growth stage, the digestibility of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber of sika deer in the SY2 group was significantly higher than that in the control group (<i>p</i> < 0.01). The digestibility of cellulose and crude fiber of sika deer in the SY2 group was significantly higher than those in the SY3 and SY4 groups (<i>p</i> < 0.01) and significantly higher than that in the control group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The contents of acetic acid and propionic acid in the rumen fluid of sika deer in the SY2 group were significantly higher than those in the SY1 group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Digestive enzyme analysis of rumen fluid at the velvet antler growth stage showed that the activity of protease in rumen fluid in the SY2 group was significantly lower than those in the SY1 group and SY4 group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The relative abundance of <i>Fibrobacter succinogenes</i> in the SY2 group was significantly higher than that in the SY1 group (<i>p</i> < 0.05) and extremely significantly higher than those in the SY3 and SY4 groups (<i>p</i> < 0.01). Correlation analysis between yeast selenium level and bacterial abundance showed that the yeast selenium content in rumen fluid was significantly positively correlated with <i>Butyrivibrio</i> and <i>Succiniclasticum</i> (<i>p</i> < 0.01). Further verification of bacterial flora functioning showed that the SY2 group was more inclined to the degradation and utilization of fiber. In conclusion, 0.3 mg/kg selenium supplementation can increase the abundance of <i>Prevotella ruminicola</i> and <i>Fibrobacter succinogenes</i> in the rumen of sika deer and improve the degradation of fibrous substances by mediating the catabolite repression process.