Abstract

Selenium is a mineral that contributes to animal reproduction. The objective of this work was to evaluate conception rate and progesterone concentration in landrace ewes, during the reproductive season by organic selenium intake. 27 multiparous ewes were used with a body condition of 2.5; two groups were randomly designed: 11 ewes without selenium and 16 with selenium. Estrus was synchronized with intravaginal sponges containing fluorogestone acetate for 14 days, at the time of sponges removal, application of 400 UI of eCG was made. Artificial insemination (IA) was developed at a fixed time (55 hours after removal of sponges), consecutive application of 0.3 ppm day-1 of oral organic selenium was started seven days before IA. Progesterone concentration was evaluated in blood samples obtained along one estrus cycle (21 days), gestation diagnosis was developed at 35 days after the IA. Progesterone concentrations, between without selenium (5.28 ng mL-1) and treatment with organic selenium (6.58 ng mL-1), were not different between groups or between days (p ≥ 0.05), although in both groups the maximum progesterone concentration was observed on day 14 after the IA, in coincidence with a normal corpus luteum time. Also, conception rate was not different (p ≥ 0.05); in the group without selenium 81.8 % and with organic selenium 75 %. Based on the results, it is concluded that organic selenium application for seven days before IA did not influence progesterone concentration and conception rate in ewes.

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