Ukrainian dietary bakery product with selenium-enriched yeast

Bread is a most important food product and source of selenium in Ukraine. However, low content of selenium in wheat flour from north and northwest regions of Ukraine does not ensure the recommended consumption of selenium. Daily intake of selenium by the population of North Ukraine is below recommended allowance. The aim of this research was to study the production of the dietary rolls with selenium-enriched yeast for the population of North Ukraine. The study showed that to obtain bakery yeast of good quality, concentration of sodium hydroselenite in the medium for yeast cultivation should be in the range from 2 to 5 μg Se/ml. Under these concentrations of selenium in medium, specific growth rate and biomass yield as well as bakery properties of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae did not differ from the parameters of yeast, grown in the medium without selenium. Maturation of the selenium-enriched yeast improved their bakery properties. The 100 g wheat roll prepared with selenium-enriched yeast contained 50 μg Se (25% of the recommended daily allowance) in the form of selenomethionine, which is the best form of selenium for human consumption. These rolls can be used as a dietary product to reach recommended daily consumption of selenium by the population of North Ukraine and Chernobyl region.     

Optimization of conditions for secretion of dengue virus type 2 envelope domain III using Pichia pastoris

We have developed a recombinant clone of the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris capable of secreting dengue virus type 2 envelope domain III (sEDIII-2). We explored various induction parameters including media composition, temperature, pH, and methanol concentration, to optimize conditions for sEDIII-2 expression in shake flask culture. Induction at 20 °C in the presence of 2% (v/v) methanol in a medium buffered to pH 5.8 resulted in highest secretion of sEDIII-2. This yield could be further enhanced up to 70% by repeated induction of the same initial biomass. Using a fed-batch cultivation strategy, we observed that shake-flask yields can be scaled up ∼ 8-fold in a bioreactor. We obtained ∼ 94% purity with > 70% recovery after purification. This study, which demonstrates for the first time the feasibility of secreting envelope domain III using the P. pastoris host, will be relevant to sub-unit approaches to dengue vaccine development.     

Degradation of curdlan using hydrogen peroxide

Curdlan, a linear glucan interconnected by β-(1 → 3) linkages, is soluble in alkaline solutions but not in water, which limits its wide application, particularly in the food industry. In this study, curdlan was subjected to oxidative degradation using hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The optimal hydrolysis conditions were determined, and the results were as follows: reaction time, 40 min; temperature, 60 °C; H₂O₂ concentration, 1.5% (v/v); and NaOH concentration, 2.5 M. Under these optimised conditions, the maximum dextrose equivalent value (13.49%) was obtained. The composition and the structure of the hydrolysates were characterised by high-performance liquid chromatography and Fourier-transform infra-red spectroscopy, respectively. The hydrolysates were filtered, neutralised with HCl, concentrated to ∼12% (w/v), desalted, and freeze dried to yield a water-soluble, white powder. The (1 → 3)-β-d-glucan oligosaccharide content of the product was 98.6% and the yield was 91.4% (w/w).     

Enhanced water-holding capacity of meat was associated with increased Sepw1 gene expression in pigs fed selenium-enriched yeast

To study the effect of selenium-enriched yeast (SeY) level on selenoprotein genes expression and the relation between gene expression and antioxidant status and meat quality, 30 selenium (Se)-depleted pigs (7-week old, 10.30 ± 0.68 kg) were randomly divided into 3 groups and fed a basal diet plus 0, 0.3 and 3.0 mg Se/kg as SeY for 8 weeks. Results showed that dietary SeY supplementation improved the antioxidant status in muscle. The increased levels of SeY decreased (P < 0.05) the drip loss and the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in the muscle and meat. However, increased dietary SeY intake quadratically increased (P < 0.01) the mRNA level of Sepw1 gene among the 12 selenoprotein genes examined in muscle. Statistical analysis showed drip loss was negatively correlated with the mRNA level of Sepw1 gene. These suggested that the enhanced water-holding capacity of meat was associated with the increased expression of Sepw1 gene.     

Microstructure and viscoelastic properties of low-fat yoghurt structured by monoglyceride gels

Three monoglyceride gels (MG gels) made up by 5 g of monopalmitin/monostearin blends in ratios of 0.10:0.87, 0.30:0.65 and 0.43:0.50, and 0.05 g of an anionic co-surfactant per 100 mL of water were prepared. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) results indicated that when cooled below the Krafft temperature (T_krafft) the three MG gels were predominantly in the α-gel phase, and were used under this condition to prepare three low-fat yoghurt variations (Y_0.1MP,0.87MS, Y_0.3MP,0.65MS, and Y_{0.43MP,0.50MS}). Scanning electron micrographs showed that Y_0.1MP,0.87MS and Y_0.3MP,0.65MS structure was characterized by aggregated fused casein micelles, which had attached to their surface MG gels, with comparatively smaller interspaced voids than those showed by the control full-fat yoghurt (Y₁₀₀). Y_0.1MP,0.87MS and Y_0.3MP,0.65MS exhibited higher viscoelastic parameters over the whole frequency experimental sweep than Y₁₀₀, Y_{0.43MP,0.50MS}, and low-fat control yoghurt (Y₅₀).     

Increasing selenium concentration in milk: effects of amount of selenium from yeast and cereal grain supplements

Two experiments were conducted to establish responses in milk Se concentrations in grazing dairy cows to different amounts of dietary Se yeast, and to determine the effects of the Se concentration of the basal diet. The hypothesis tested was that the response in milk, blood, and tissue Se concentrations to supplemental Se would not be affected by whether the Se was from the basal diet or from Se yeast. In addition, by conducting a similar experiment in either early (spring; experiment 1) or late (autumn; experiment 2) lactation, we hypothesized that different Se input-output relationships would result. Both 6-wk experiments involved 60 multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows, all of which had calved in spring. They were allocated to 1 of 10 dietary Se treatments that included 2 types of crushed triticale grain (low Se, approximately 165 μ g of Se/kg of DM; or high Se, approximately 580 μ g/kg of DM) fed at 4 kg of DM/d, and 1 kg of DM/d of pellets formulated to carry 5 quantities of Se yeast (0, 4, 8, 12, or 16 mg of Se). Daily total Se intakes ranged from <2 to >18 mg/cow in both experiments. Milk Se concentrations plateaued after 15 and 7 d of supplementation in experiments 1 and 2, respectively, and then remained at plateau concentrations. Average milk Se concentrations for the plateau period increased as the amount of Se yeast increased, and low- and high-Se grain treatments were different at all quantities of Se yeast, although there was a tendency for this difference to diminish at the greatest concentrations of yeast. There were significant positive, linear relationships between Se intake and the concentrations of Se in milk, which were not affected by the source of Se, and the relationships were similar for both experiments. Therefore, the output of Se in milk in experiment 1 was greater than that in experiment 2 because the milk yield of the cows in early lactation was greater. The estimated proportions of Se partitioned to destinations other than milk and feces increased with the amount of Se in the diet and were greater in experiment 2 than in experiment 1, a result that was supported by Se concentrations in whole blood and plasma and in semitendinosus muscle tissue. If high-Se products are to be produced for human nutrition, it is important to be able to develop feeding systems that produce milk with consistent and predictable Se concentrations so that products can consistently meet specifications. The results indicate that this objective is achievable.     

Effect of different fermentation parameters on l-lactic acid production from liquid distillery stillage

Expansion of lactic acid applications, predominantly for the preparation of biodegradable polymers increased the research interest for new, economically favourable production processes. Liquid stillage from bioethanol production can be an inexpensive, valuable source of nutrients for growth of lactic acid bacteria. Utilisation of residual biomass with spent fermentation media as a functional animal feed can greatly influence the process value and its ecological aspect. In this paper, the kinetics of lactic acid and biomass production on liquid stillage by Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 7469 was studied. In addition, the impact of temperature, inoculum concentration, shaking and pH control by addition of CaCO₃ was evaluated. Maximal lactic acid yield of 73.4%, as well as high biomass production (3 × 10⁸ CFU ml⁻¹) were achieved under selected conditions (41 °C, 5% (v/v) of inoculum, 1% (w/v) of CaCO₃, initial pH of 6.5 and shaking rate of 90 rpm). These results were achieved without supplementation of the stillage with nitrogen or mineral sources.     

Box-behnken设计优化富硒酵母培养条件参数的研究

以糙米汁、麦芽汁和豆芽汁为天然培养基,研究了培养条件对菌体及总硒产量的影响,采用Box-be- hnken设计对富硒酵母培养条件进行了优化。经过回归分析建立了总硒产量对培养条件的二次回归模型,其回归方程的决定系数达到0.997。得到的优化培养条件为培养温度为27.43℃、pH值为5.78、装液量为89.73 mL,总硒产量最大预测值达到4.48 mg/L,是优化前的1.27倍。     

Optimisation of enzymatic synthesis of diacylglycerols in binary medium systems containing ionic liquids

Two different approaches, namely the n-hexane/ionic liquid (IL) system and the binary IL system, were optimised as a reaction medium for selective production of diacylglycerols (DGs) by lipase-catalysed glycerolysis of triolein. ILs used are [BMIM]·[BF₄], [BMIM].[PF₆], [OMIM]·[PF₆], [TOMA]·[TFA], [TOMA]·[Tf₂N], and Ammoeng 120. The effect of mixing n-hexane with IL in different ratios and at different temperatures was found to depend on the polarity of the IL used. In general, the addition of n-hexane resulted in improvement of triacylglycerol (TG) conversion and DG yield. The enhancement of mass transfer due to the decrease of viscosity is a major reason. The binary IL systems were evaluated with the aim of increasing DG yield and TG conversion while decreasing monoacylglycerol (MG) content. The reaction conditions of glycerolysis in the binary IL system consisting of [TOMA]·[Tf₂N]/Ammoeng 102 were optimised by response surface methodology (RSM). Optimal conditions were recommended as temperature between 55–60 °C, glycerol/oil amount between 1.8–2 mmol/2 mmol, [TOMA]·[Tf₂N] concentration less than 10%, reaction time 24 h, and lipase amount 15 wt.% based on oil mass. Under these conditions, the glycerolysis reaction resulted in reasonably high DG yield (∼70%) and TG conversion (∼90%).     

Optimization of culture parameters of selenium-enriched yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) by response surface methodology (RSM)

Effect of culture conditions (temperature, initial pH value and volume) on the bioaccumulation of selenium (Se) in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) were investigated by response surface methodology (RSM) in this paper. The combined effects of culture conditions on Se yield were studied using a three-level three-factor Box-Behnken design. Fermentation was carried out at different temperature (24-32 °C), initial pH value (4-7) and volume (40-100 mL). The results showed that the optimum conditions for Se enrichment of yeast were found at temperature 27.4 °C, initial pH value 5.8 and volume 89.4 mL. Total Se yield was significantly affected by culture temperature (P < 0.05), initial pH value (P < 0.01) and volume (P < 0.01).Using a culture medium supplemented with 15 μg/mL sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) added at 9 h after inoculation which is the logarithmic growth phase, the maximum biomass and total Se yield in yeast could reach 9.23 g/L and 5.90 mg/L, respectively, which were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of the control (8.82 g/L and 4.31 mg/L)     

Antioxidant potential of aroma compounds obtained by limonene biotransformation of orange essential oil

The antioxidant activities of a limonene biotransformation extract and of some standard monoterpenes present in the extract were assessed using four antioxidant assays: total antioxidant capacity, based on the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging assay, lipid peroxidation by the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assay, superoxide anion release by cultured leukemic cells and glutathione S-transferase (GSTs) activity. The limonene biotransformation extract had free radical-scavenging activity (EC₅₀ = 2.09%, v/v) and inhibited lipid peroxidation (IC₅₀ = 0.13%, v/v). The extract, perillyl alcohol and α-terpineol inhibited lipid peroxidation by ∼80% at a concentration of 0.02% (v/v). Perillyl alcohol and α-terpineol also reduced the release of superoxide anions by cultured leukemic cells, by 3- and 10-fold, respectively, at concentrations of <0.02% (v/v). The biotransformation extract inhibited the conversion of nitrophenyl acetate to p-nitrophenol in the glutathione assay by ∼50%. These results indicate that, in addition to monoterpenes, other non-volatile compounds may contribute to the antioxidant activity of the biotransformation extract.     

Effect of chelating salt type on casein hydration and fat emulsification during manufacture and post-manufacture functionality of imitation cheese

Imitation cheese (50% moisture) was manufactured in a Farinograph using different ratios of disodium orthophosphate (DSP) and trisodium citrate (TSC) as chelating or emulsifying salts (ES). The ES:casein ratio was kept constant at 0.2549 mol ES/kg casein. The effects of DSP:TSC ratio on cheese manufacture and post-manufacture functional properties were investigated. Hardness, assessed by texture profile analysis, heat-induced flowability and dynamic rheology were studied. Microstructural analyses were performed using light and cryo-scanning electron microscopy. Increasing the DSP:TSC ratio from 0:1 to 1:0 caused a decrease in processing times (from ∼18 to 12 min) and lowering of the final mixing torque values (from ∼180 to 20 F.U.) and, post-manufacture led to a decrease in cheese hardness (from ∼360 to 165 N) and G′ values at 25 °C (from ∼81 to 38 kPa) and to increased cheese fat globule size (from ∼8 to 32 μm). The results suggest that changing the ratio of DSP:TSC may be used to alter cheese properties, but both ES are needed for optimum functionality.     

Effects of temperature,solid content and pH on the stability of black carrot anthocyanins

Anthocyanin stability of black carrots was studied at various solid contents (11, 30, 45 and 64° Brix) and pHs (4.3 and 6.0) during both heating, at 70–90 °C, and storage at 4–37 °C. Monomeric anthocyanin degradation fitted a first-order reaction model. Degradation of monomeric anthocyanins increased with increasing solid content during heating, while it decreased during storage. For example, at pH 4.3, half-life periods for anthocyanins at 30, 45 and 64° Brix were, respectively, 8.4, 6.9 and 5.2 h during heating at 80 °C and 18.7, 30.8 and 35.9 weeks during storage at 20 °C. At 30–64° Brix, increasing pH from 4.3 to 6.0 enhanced the degradation of anthocyanins during heating. The effect of pH on thermal stability of anthocyanins was also studied at six different pHs (2.5–7.0) in citrate-phosphate buffer solutions and significant decrease in anthocyanin stability was observed at pHs above 5.0. Higher activation energies (E_a) were obtained during heating than during storage with increasing solid contents. At 30–64° Brix, E_a values ranged from 68.8 to 95.1 kJ mol⁻¹ during heating and from 62.1 to 86.2 kJ mol⁻¹ during storage. Q₁₀ values at 20–37 °C were as high as 3.1 at 45° Brix and 3.6 at 64° Brix.     

Proximate composition and extraction of carotenoids and lipids from Brazilian redspotted shrimp waste (Farfantepenaeus paulensis)

The chemical composition of redspotted shrimp (Penaeus paulensis) waste was investigated. The shrimp waste (freeze-dried heads, shells and tails) was found to have high protein (49% d.w.) and ash (27% d.w.) contents, but a low lipid content (4.9% d.w.) although the latter was higher than those found in other kinds of shrimp captured in Brazil. The fatty acid compositions showed that the lipids had a high content of unsaturated fatty acids, mainly EPA (C20:5; n-3) and DHA (C22:6; n-3). In order to establish an efficient and environmentally friendly recovery process for the astaxanthin (principal carotenoid and antioxidant present in the waste), the following processes were examined: traditional solvent extraction (TSE), super-critical fluid extraction (SC-CO₂) and super-critical fluid extraction with co-solvent (SC-CO₂ + ethanol). The temperature and pressure conditions for all the SC-CO₂ extractions were 50 °C and 30.0 MPa. The results showed that the mixture of 60% (v/v) n-hexane:isopropyl alcohol gave the highest (53 mg/kg waste) carotenoid extraction yield as compared to acetone, SC-CO₂ and SC-CO₂ + ethanol. The SC-CO₂ showed the lowest extraction yield of astaxanthin, but the addition of the entrainer (10% w/w) produced an important effect, increasing the astaxanthin extraction to values of 57.9%, similar to extraction with acetone (63.3%).     

Effect of pregnancy and extended lactation on milk production in dairy goats milked once daily

Thirty multiparous Murciano-Granadina dairy goats milked once daily were used to study the lactational effects of an extended 24-mo kidding interval (K24; n = 14) compared with the traditional 12-mo kidding interval (K12; n = 16). Goats were divided into 2 groups at wk 29 of lactation balanced with respect to parity, milk yield, and somatic cell count. Over a period of 92 wk, K12 goats were mated twice, at wk 29 during the first lactation and at wk 79 during the second lactation, whereas K24 goats were mated once, at wk 79 of extended first lactation. The K12 goats were dried off from wk 14 to 21 of pregnancy (wk 43 to 50 of lactation). Milk yield was recorded from wk 2 to 92, and milk composition was studied from wk 29 to 92. Milk fatty acids were analyzed in milk samples taken at wk 39 (wk 10 of pregnancy) and 55 (wk 5 of subsequent lactation), when milk in udder compartments (cisternal and alveolar) was also evaluated. Average milk yield during the first 29 wk was 2.23 ± 0.13 L/d. Pregnancy reduced milk yield in K12 goats from wk 39 to 42 of lactation compared with K24 goats. During the dry period for K12 goats, milk yield of K24 goats averaged 1.53 ± 0.10 L/d. From wk 51 to 79, K12 goats produced 32% more milk than did K24 goats, but their milk contained lower fat and protein than that of K24 goats. No changes were detected for milk lactose and somatic cell count from wk 51 to 79. From wk 80 to 92, differences in milk yield and milk composition between groups were not significant. Milk of pregnant K12 goats contained higher C_16:1 and conjugated C_18:2 fatty acids, and had a higher desaturase index than milk of open K24 goats at wk 39. In the following lactation (wk 55), milk of K12 goats contained higher C_18:2 and C_18:3, and lower C_16:0 fatty acids, resulting in a lower atherogenicity index compared with K24 goats. Cisternal milk at wk 39 was lower for K12 than K24 goats, whereas alveolar milk did not differ. In K12 goats, values of cisternal milk tripled, but alveolar milk only doubled at wk 55 (wk 5 of subsequent lactation) compared with wk 39, indicating the importance of the cistern in accommodating high milk yield in early lactation. Values of cisternal and alveolar milk did not differ between wk 39 and 55 for K24 goats. Fat content was higher for alveolar milk than cisternal milk for K12 goats at wk 55 and for K24 goats at wk 39 and 55. No differences in milk protein or lactose were detected between cisternal and alveolar milk. In conclusion, pregnancy reduced milk yield from wk 10 after conceiving onwards. Extended lactation did not significantly decrease milk yield (−8.2%), but increased milk components that may contribute to cheese yield, and may be a useful strategy for reducing metabolic stress in early lactation and for simplifying herd management in dairy goats.     

应用体外全仿生模型初步分析2种富硒产品中硒形态及生物可给性

建立微波消解-高分辨-连续光源石墨炉原子吸收光谱(high resolution-continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry,HR-CS GFAAS)法测定富硒蛹虫草和富硒酵母胃、肠全仿生提取液中各形态硒的方法,研究胃、肠消化对富硒产品中硒形态和生物可给性的影响。采用体外全仿生消化技术对富硒蛹虫草和富硒酵母进行预处理,得到胃、肠全仿生提取液;通过0.45μm微孔滤膜实现可溶态和悬浮态的分离;选择D101大孔树脂分离可溶态中有机态和无机态;分别利用丙酮和无水乙醇沉淀可溶态中蛋白和多糖,得到蛋白结合态和多糖结合态;分别以正辛醇和单层脂质体为细胞膜,模拟富硒产品中硒在人体胃、肠中的分配行为。通过单因素试验,确定最佳测定条件:分析谱线为196.026 7 nm,基体改进剂为1 g/L Pd(NO_3)_2和0.5 g/L Mg(NO_3)_2混合溶液,添加体积为5μL,灰化温度为1 100℃,原子化温度为2 200℃。在此条件下,测定富硒蛹虫草和富硒酵母中硒含量分别为2.129μg/g和27.75μg/g,肠全仿生提取液中除悬浮态其他各形态硒的含量都高于胃全仿生提取液,在肠消化过程中产生的正辛醇醇溶态硒和单层脂质体结合态硒的含量都高于各自水溶态硒。     

Process optimisation for recovery of carotenoids from tomato waste

Carotenoids constitute an important component of waste originating from tomato processing plants. Studies were carried out to assess the extraction yield of tomato waste carotenoids in different solvents and solvent mixtures and to optimise the extraction conditions for maximum recovery. A mixture of ethyl acetate and hexane gave the highest carotenoid extraction yield among the others examined. Extraction conditions, such as percentage of hexane in the solvent mixture of ethyl acetate and hexane, ratio of solvent to waste and particle size were optimised using a statistically designed experiment. A regression equation for predicting the carotenoid yield as a function of three extraction variables was derived by statistical analysis and a model with predictive ability of 0.97 was obtained. The optimised conditions for maximum carotenoid yield (37.5 mg kg⁻¹ dry waste) were 45% hexane in solvent mixture, solvent mixture to waste ratio of 9.1:1 (v/w) and particle size 0.56 mm.     

α-Glucosidase inhibitors from Chinese Yam (Dioscoreaopposita Thunb.)

The inhibitory activities of crude extracts and purified constituents from the fresh tuberous rhizomes of Chinese Yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb.), which is commonly called Huai Shan Yao in Chinese, were evaluated against yeast α-glucosidase in order to search for the active principals for treatment of diabetes. Bioassay-guiding isolation gave four compounds: trans-N-p-coumaroyltyramine (1) (IC₅₀ = 0.40 μM), 1,7-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)heptane-3,5-diol (2) (IC₅₀ = 0.38 mM), 6-hydroxy-2,4,7-trimethoxyphenanthrene (3) (IC₅₀ = 0.77 mM) as α-glucosidase inhibitors, and cis-N-p-coumaroyltyramine (4), an isomer of compound 1, which showed no inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase. Furthermore, the separation and purification of compound 3 from Chinese Yam (Huai Shan Yao) was conducted by high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) using hexane–ethyl acetate–methanol–water (1:1:1:1, v/v/v/v). Compound 1, 2 and 4 were isolated from or detected in the Dioscoreaceae family for the first time.     

Isolation of hesperidin from peels of thinned Citrus unshiu fruits by microwave-assisted extraction

Simultaneous extraction by microwave-irradiation and crystallisation were performed in the same pot of solvent of 70% (v/v) aqueous ethanol for isolation of hesperidin from thinned immature fruit peels of Citrus unshiu as refining of Citrus waste biomass. The hesperidin content in immature fruits peels was about 3.2-fold higher than that of mature fruit. After microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), the yield of hesperidin reached 58.6 mg/g, which was comparable to the amount obtained after extraction using DMSO:methanol (1:1, v/v) as a solvent for 30 min at room temperature. Heating temperature and time for isolation of hesperidin crystallites were optimised as 140 °C and 8 min by using response surface methodology. Under this optimal condition, 86.8% (47.7 mg/g) of total hesperidin was isolable by MAE and low-temperature storage (5 °C, 24 h).     

Effects of method of presynchronization and source of selenium on uterine health and reproduction in dairy cows

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of method of presynchronization and source of supplemental Se on uterine health and reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows. Holstein cows (n = 512) were assigned randomly to 2 methods of presynchronization, Presynch (2 PGF_2a given 14 d apart) or CIDR-PS (controlled internal drug releasing inserted for 7 d with an injection of PGF_2a at removal) and 2 sources of Se, sodium selenite (SS) or selenized yeast (SY) supplemented at 0.3 mg/kg from 25 d before calving to 80 d in milk (DIM) arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial. Cows were inseminated following the Ovsynch protocol (d 0 GnRH, d 7 PGF_2a, d 9 GnRH, timed artificial insemination (AI) 12 h after the final GnRH) starting at 12 and 3 d after Presynch and CIDR-PS, respectively. Cows were diagnosed for pregnancy at 28, 42, and 56 d after AI. Source of Se did not influence uterine health and resumption of cyclicity, but fewer CIDR-PS than Presynch cows were cyclic at the beginning of the Ovsynch, although differences in the proportion cyclic may have been caused by the timing when corpus luteum evaluations were performed in the different pre-synchronization treatments. Ovulatory responses were not influenced by source of Se. However, the CIDR-PS increased ovulation to the first GnRH, double ovulation to the final GnRH, and size of ovulatory follicle at PGF_2a and final GnRH of the Ovsynch, but did not influence ovulation at the final GnRH of the Ovsynch. Concentrations of estradiol during the Ovsynch increased with follicle diameter and were greater for cows receiving CIDR-PS than Presynch, but they were not influenced by source of Se. Pregnancy per AI on d 28 (32.7%), 42 (28.5%), and 56 (25.9%) after AI, and pregnancy loss (20.5%) from 28 to 56 d were not influenced by source of Se or method of presynchronization. Although cows receiving CIDR-PS had an increased incidence of ovulation to the first GnRH (73.2 vs. 57.8%) and double ovulation to the final GnRH of the Ovsynch (18.7 vs. 9.0%), both of which enhanced pregnancy, the CIDR-PS protocol did not improve pregnancy per AI or reduce pregnancy loss compared with presynchronization with PGF_2a alone.