The effect of selenium supplementation to the diet of dairy cows and goats on production traits and animal health* - a review

The results of studies conducted so far in the field of supplementing Se deficiency in cow and goat diets demonstrate unequivocally the positive influence of supplements used on the improvement of the health status of animals and an important increase in the concentration of this microelement in the obtained milk. The positive influence on health is reflected in the increased antioxidative status and immunological potential of these animals, in the reduced risk of mastitis, in the improvement of reproductive rate and increased Se transfer to cow foetus. The best results are obtained when the diet is supplemented with selenium yeast. The improvement in animal Se supply also has a positive influence on the increase of antioxidative properties of milk and meat. Further research in the field is necessary, connected among others with determining the relationship between the concentration of Se and antagonistic elements as well as vitamin E.