Selenium Concentrations in Forages and in Blood of Meat Goats T. K. Hutchens *1, A. H. Cantor 1, H. D. Gillespie 1, P. B. Scharko 1, M. Neary 2, J. E. Tower 2 1 University of Kentucky, Lexington, 2 Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN ± mgAlfalfa-ochardgrass hay ± 0.009Fescue Pasture Se concentration, mg/kg DM (Mean ± SD)Sample Selenium Concentration in Pasture and Hay Low Se levels in the forages produced in this region suggest the need for feeding supplemental Se to breeding goats. Conclusion  Forages sampled were very low in Se content  Substantial changes were noted in whole blood Se levels  Plasma Se levels changed very little over the sampling period Summary  Pasture – composite sample of Kentucky 31 tall fescue obtained in August 2006 from 10 locations within a 10-acre grazing paddock  Hay- 4 grab samples of alfalfa-ochardgrass hay from an early summer cutting Forage Sampling  August 2006 (n = 10)  December 2006 (n = 8)  January 2007 (n = 8) Blood Sampling  Much of the Midwest USA, including the Ohio River Valley & the Appalachian mountain range are selenium deficient  Region has soils that are either inherently deficient due to the type of rock substrate or reduced availability from acid soils  Adequate rainfall (> 122 cm/yr) plus rapidly decomposing organic matter creates slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5 – 6.8)  this promotes abundant plant growth but reduces Se availability for plant uptake  Results in Se-deficient forage and grain crops  64% of the U.S. forage crop below desirable levels for Se Introduction  To determine Se concentrations in pasture and hay fed to goats  To determine Se concentrations blood and plasma of goats consuming these forages during the reproductive cycle. Objective Forages grown in many areas of the USA are considered to be selenium-deficient. These regions include Indiana and Kentucky. The present study was conducted to determine Se concentrations in pasture and hay samples and in blood and plasma samples of goats consuming these forages. A composite sample of Kentucky 31 tall fescue was obtained in August 2006 from 10 locations within a 10-acre grazing paddock in Dubois, IN. In addition, four grab samples of alfalfa-orchardgrass hay from an early summer cutting were taken. Blood samples were obtained from percentage Boer-crossed meat does, approximately 3 yr of age, in August and December of 2006 and in January Selenium was determined using a fluorometric procedure following wet digestion. The pasture and hay samples contained ± μg Se/kg DM and ± μg Se/kg DM (mean ± SD), respectively. Goats sampled shortly after weaning in August 2006 (n = 10) were on pasture with access to a mineral supplement containing Se. Their respective values (μg/mL) for whole blood and plasma Se were ± and ± Does sampled in December 2006 (n = 8) had been bred, were still on pasture and were given hay with access to the mineral supplement. Their whole blood and plasma Se concentrations were ± and ± μg Se/mL, respectively. The same does sampled in January 2007 (n = 8) had continued to receive the same feeding regimen. Whole blood and plasma Se concentrations from these goats were ± and ± μg Se/mL, respectively. Average Se concentrations for whole blood, but not for plasma, of samples taken in December and January were significantly (P < 0.001) higher than for samples taken in August. These data show that the forages sampled were very low in Se content. In addition, a substantial change in the Se concentration in whole blood, but not in plasma, of breeding does was observed during the course of sampling. Abstract  Method of Olson et al. (1975) as modified by Cantor & Tarino (1982)  Nitric/perchloric digestion  Reaction with diaminonaphthalene  Extraction with cyclohexane  Fluorescence measured: 365 nm & 525 nm Se Analysis  Percentage Boer-crossed meat does, approximately 3 yr of age  Maintained on pasture with mineral supplement containing 28 ppm Se as sodium selenite and with access to  Bred at end of November Animals & Management  Meat goat program at Southern Indiana-Purdue Agricultural Center (SIPAC), in Dubois County, Indiana  A cooperative effort between Purdue University and the University of Kentucky Study Collaboration Program