How selenium source affects gestation and leucocytes in adult ewes during seasonal anestrus

Objective. Evaluated if the type of selenium affects the pregnancy rate and leukocytes during anestrus season of ewes. Material and Methods. twenty adult ewes randomly distributed in: control, sodium selenite, encapsulated (with selenium enriched yeast), and powdered yeast with selenium. Se type was added to the ewes through seven days before artificial insemination (AI), at dose 300mg day-1 animal-1. Leukocytes were counted seven days before AI and to 88 days of gestation. Gestation diagnosis was developed at 35 days after AI, and P4 evaluation at 28 days. A completely randomized design was used. For leukocyte data, a mixed model was used and, for gestation rate, logistic regression. Results. the major pregnancy rate was with powdered yeast (100%), while the control ewes and those with encapsulated selenium enriched yeast 80% and sodium selenite were only 40% (p<0.05). The cells in greater number were lymphocytes and neutrophils. Lymphocytes increased at day 13 after AI, with a maximum number on day 20 (p< 0.05). Conclusions. the gestation rate in ewes in seasonal anestrus is affected by the selenium type. The powdered yeast with selenium increased the pregnancy rate, lymphocytes and neutrophils, while sodium selenite produced decrease in the similar parameters.