Parenteral selenium and vitamin E supplementation of weaned beef calves

BACKGROUND: The weaning process in beef calves elicits physiological stress responses that can negatively affect performance and health. Supplementation of vitamins and minerals, particularly selenium (Se) and vitamin E, might be warranted. HYPOTHESIS: That parenteral administration of Se or vitamin E would correct or prevent deficiencies of these nutrients in postweaned beef calves during a backgrounding period (42 days after weaning). ANIMALS: One hundred and forty-four weaned steers (200-250 kg) in 3 trials. METHODS: One trial was conducted with cattle on a dry lot fed a total mixed ration and 2 trials were conducted on cattle on pasture. Selenium was administered at 0.05 mg/kg BW (SC) and vitamin E was administered at 1500 IU on days 0 and 28 (SC). RESULTS: A treatment effect attributable to Se or vitamin E supplementation on average daily gain was not detected in any trials. Parenteral supplementation with Se on days 0 and 28 resulted in higher serum Se concentrations as compared with controls on day 42. Parenteral supplementation with Se on days 0 and 28 improved Se status from marginal to adequate in 1 trial. Parenteral supplementation with vitamin E did not improve serum vitamin E concentrations in any experiment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Supplementation with vitamin E or Se or a combination of both did not have a significant effect on calf performance during the 42-day backgrounding period.     

Effects of selenium and vitamin E supplementation on selenium distribution and meat quality of pigs

Abstract

The study was conducted on 60 pigs kept in individual pens. The animals were allocated to four groups. The growing-finishing pigs from the control group were fed with basic feed containing 0.3 mg selenium (Se) derived from Na₂SeO₃ kg^?1 and 60 mg of dl-α-tocopheryl acetate kg^?1. The remaining three groups were differentiated by adding 0.2 mg kg^?1 Se-enriched yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and/or 60 mg vitamin E to feed (grower and finisher). Our results show that the addition of organic Se to inorganic Se commonly used in pig feed caused a significant increase in hepatic Se and muscle. This indicates the possibility of using these products as functional foods to improve Se status in humans residing within regions which are deficient in this trace element. We found no beneficial effect of supplementation with vitamin E and Se on the quality of the meat.     

Vitamin E levels in the ovine serum after administration of vitamin E and selenium]

The effects of drugs containing vitamin E for peroral administration (Combinal E), intramuscular injection (Erevit) and parenteral administration of a combined drug containing vitamin E and selenium (Selevit) on vitamin E levels in the ovine blood serum were studied. A uniform dose of 15 mg tocopherol acetate per 1 kg live weight was administered to the experimental animals. The level of vitamin E after the peroral administration of Combinal E was affected to a lesser extent than in swine and calves. The serum was examined before and after saponification to determine the effect of the intramuscular injection of Erevit; it was found out that tocopherol acetate prevailed in the blood serum in the first hours after such a route of administration. The best results were obtained after both subcutaneous and intramuscular administration of Selevit, the levels of free tocopherol showing high values even at the end of the experiments. These results may be made use of in determining effective preventive and therapeutic measures to do away with the white muscle disease in practice.     

Effect of selenium, vitamin E and riboflavin supplementation of the feed on the humoral and cell-mediated immune responses of growing pigs

The feed of weaned piglets of Hungarian Large White X Duroc and Dutch Landrace X Duroc genotype was supplemented with 0.5 mg selenium, 50, 100 or 150 mg vitamin E, and 2.5 or 5 mg riboflavin per kg. Feed supplementation enhanced the cytotoxic reaction and elevated the antibody titres produced against purified horse gamma globulin antigen. However, as compared to the control the differences were not significant. Feed supplementation exerted a beneficial, though varying, influence on the indices of cell-mediated immunity. The proportion of rosette-forming cells and blastogenic transformation induced by specific (horse globulin) and nonspecific (phytohaemagglutinin, PHA) mitogens underwent the most expressed and most significant increase in pigs fed 5 mg selenium, 100 mg vitamin E and 5 mg riboflavin per kg of feed. On the other hand, feed supplementation failed to enhance the responsiveness to intradermal PHA (type IV allergic reaction).     

Effect of dietary vitamin E and selenium supplementation on semen quality in Cairn Terriers with normospermia

Among others, selenium (Se) and vitamin E (VitE) have been provided to dogs to improve semen quality. However, scientific evidence documenting an effect in dogs is lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementation of these antioxidants on various ejaculate parameters in a randomized, double‐blinded trial using Cairn Terrier males exhibiting normal seminal quality parameters. Three dogs each were fed a standardized diet and supplemented with 0.1 mg Se, 100 mg VitE or 0.1 mg Se + 100 mg VitE/dog for 3 months. Ejaculate analyses (volume, progressive motility, vitality, morphology, concentration) were performed before inclusion (D0) and after 1, 2 and 3 months (+1, +2, +3). At the same time, glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐PX) and VitE in seminal plasma (SP) and GSH‐PX in blood samples were determined. Vitamin E levels in SP were below the detection limit (1.0 mg/L) in all samples. GSH‐PX in blood (164.0–2794.4 IU/L) and SP (18.4–4326.0 IU/L) was highly variable. Supplementation only significantly affected the total percentage of sperm head abnormalities (p = .011). Time significantly affected the percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm (p = .025), sperm head abnormalities (p = .007), proximal droplets (p = .001) and GSH‐PX in SP (p = .015). Additionally, a significant interaction between time and group was identified for the percentage of membrane‐intact sperm (p = .048), head abnormalities (p = .018), acrosomal defects (p = .043) and proximal droplets (p = .002). Although some effects could be identified for selected parameters, we failed to identify a clear trend about how a 3 months VitE and/or Se supplementation affects semen parameters in normospermic Cairn Terriers.     

Blood and milk status of vitamin E,vitamin A,and selenium in nursing Awassi ewes injected with vitamin E and selenium

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of vitamin E and selenium (Se) injections on concentrations of vitamin E, vitamin A, and Se in blood and milk to predict when injections may improve ewes’ performance. Awassi ewes received 0 (control, 13 ewes) or 15 plus 0.05?mg/kg BW of vitamin E and Se (injected, 15 ewes) at 1 and 4 weeks postpartum. Blood and milk samples were collected weekly for 6 weeks. Injections increased vitamin E, decreased Se, and had no effects on vitamin A levels in blood. Blood vitamin E was correlated positively with vitamin A. Injections increased vitamin E, but had no effects on vitamin A or Se levels in milk. Milk vitamin A was positively correlated with vitamin E and Se levels in the control group. Milk vitamins E and A were positively correlated with their corresponding levels in blood. Milk somatic cell count was negatively correlated with blood vitamin A levels.     

Effects of dietary supplementation with vitamin E and organic selenium on the oxidative stability of beef.

The effects of supplementation of beef cattle diets with organic Se (0.3 mg/kg) and vitamin E (300 I.U. alpha-tocopheryl acetate/kg feed), for 55 d preceding slaughter, on the antioxidant status and oxidative stability of muscle was examined. Dietary vitamin E supplementation led to an increase (P < 0.05) in plasma, and longissimus muscle alpha-tocopherol levels. In minced longissimus muscle stored in 80% 02:20% CO2, lipid and oxymyoglobin oxidation were lower (P < 0.05) in muscle from vitamin E-supplemented animals compared with unsupplemented animals. Dietary Se supplementation did not significantly affect muscle Se levels, glutathione peroxidase activity, or susceptibility to lipid and oxymyoglobin oxidation in the presence or absence of vitamin E. Covariance analysis indicated that, in addition to muscle alpha-tocopherol, differences in muscle glutathione peroxidase activity, and pH could account for variation in the susceptibility of muscle to lipid and oxymyoglobin oxidation.     

Effect of vitamin E and selenium supplementation on some immune parameters following vaccination against brucellosis in cattle

Twenty-four 7-mo-old beef heifers (Charolais Simmental cross), weighing 213 kg, were used to determine the effect of vitamin E (VitE) and(or) selenium (Se) supplementation on the humoral response to a standard dose of Brucella abortus strain 19 vaccine and on the levels of naturally occurring immunoglobulins (Ig) to several antigens. The treatments were as follows: Group 1, no supplement; Group 2, supplementation with 6 g of elemental Se; Group 3, supplementation with 1,400 IU/d of VitE; and Group 4, Se and VitE supplements combined. There were no significant differences in anti-B. abortus IgG1, IgG2, or IgM antibody levels due to Se, VitE or Se/VitE treatments; the concentrations of IgA antibody were too low to be measured with the ELISA test used. Statistical analysis revealed that the levels of total and IgM natural antibody to Salmonella typhimurium were higher in Group 3. Perhaps VitE supplementation given in conjunction with B. abortus vaccine enhanced the production of antibody to S. typhimurium in several animals whose humoral system had been activated by previous exposure to this organism.     

Effects of dietary fish oil and vitamin E supplementation on canine lymphocyte proliferation evaluated using a flow cytometric technique

Lymphocyte proliferation and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) production of PGE(2) were assayed in 15 healthy dogs fed a basal diet supplemented with either sunflower oil (Group Sunflower oil), sunflower oil and menhaden fish oil (Group Fish oil), or sunflower oil and menhaden fish oil plus alpha-tocopherol acetate for 12 weeks (Group Fish oil + E). Lymphocyte proliferation was determined by a flow cytometric technique utilizing the fluorochrome carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE). The PBMC supernatant PGE(2) concentration was assayed using a competitive enzyme-linked immunoassay. Group Fish oil had a significant decrease in lymphocyte proliferation at week 12. PBMC production of PGE(2) was decreased in all three groups but only significantly reduced in groups receiving fish oil supplementation. Based on these results, this level of fish oil supplementation appears to suppress the lymphoproliferative response in healthy, young dogs but this response can be attenuated by high levels of dietary vitamin E supplementation. Furthermore, fish oil-induced reduction in lymphocyte proliferation appears to manifest through a PGE(2)-independent mechanism and is not associated with increased lipid peroxidation.     

Effect of vitamin E supplementation on lymphocyte distribution in gut-associated lymphoid tissues obtained from weaned piglets

Fifteen piglets were used to determine the effect of vitamin E supplementation on the number of CD4-immunoreactive (CD4+) T-lymphocytes, CD8-immunoreactive (CD8+) T-lymphocytes and IgA-immunoreactive (IgA+) B-lymphocytes per follicle in the Peyer's patch of distal ileum and the mesenteric lymph nodes of weaned piglets. Piglets, following a 3-day adaptation period after weaning, were assigned to one of three experimental groups: control (no vitamin E supplementation), vitamin E supplementation of 100 mg/kg of diet and vitamin E supplementation of 300 mg/kg of diet. Supplementation of vitamin E lasted for a period of 36 days. The basal diet contained 80 mg alpha-tocopherol/kg of diet. All piglets were killed at day 39 after weaning and samples of the distal ileum and adjacent mesenteric lymph nodes were collected. The number of cells for each lymphocyte subset was counted in the Peyer's patch and the mesenteric lymph nodes follicles, in cryostat sections processed for immunohistochemistry. Results showed that vitamin E supplementation (300 mg/kg diet) of piglets caused an increase (P < 0.05) in the number of IgA+ B-lymphocytes in the Peyer's patch, but not in the mesenteric lymph nodes, compared with the corresponding values in control animals. Vitamin E supplementation had no effect (P > 0.05) on the number of CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes in the follicles of the Peyer's patch and the adjacent mesenteric lymph nodes. Thus, vitamin E had relatively minor effects on distribution of the major immunocompetent cells in the gut. The numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes as well as IgA+ B-lymphocytes per follicle were higher by 26-77% (P < 0.05) in the mesenteric lymph nodes than the corresponding values in the Peyer's patch.     

Effects of vitamin E and selenium supplementation on blood lipid peroxidation and cortisol concentration in dairy cows undergoing omentopexy

Twenty dairy cows with left abomasal displacement were used to investigate the effects of vitamin E and selenium treatment on thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and blood cortisol in dairy cows stressed by omentopexy. The cows were randomly divided into two groups. Ten hours before surgery 6 g of DL‐α‐tocopheryl acetate (6 mg/kg) and 67 mg of natrium selenite (0.1 mg/kg) in volume of 40 ml (Vitaselen^®) were administered subcutaneously to 10 cows; the control animals (n = 10) received an equivalent volume of injectable water (40 ml). The injection of vitamin E and selenium produced a rapid rise (p < .05) in blood α‐tocopherol and selenium concentrations. The serum vitamin E increased several times 10 hr after vitamin E and Se injection and raised continuously to the highest average concentration 21.6 mg/L at hr 24 after the surgery. The highest selenium concentration was seen 10 hr after selenium administration with holding the increased concentrations in comparison with initial ones during the whole study. Two‐way ANOVA did not show significant treatment effect on plasma concentrations TBARS in the study. The plasma concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances reached the maximum value of 0.18 μmol/L in the control group 5 hr after the surgery. Twenty‐four hours after the surgery, the TBARS values returned to the initial ones. Serum cortisol increased in both groups after surgery. The highest cortisol concentrations were reached at 1 hr after surgery in the experimental and control group (56.7 ± 28.8 and 65.3 ± 26.1 μg/L respectively). A return to the levels similar to the initial ones was recognized 24 hr after the surgery. The ANOVA revealed a significant effect of vitamin E and selenium injection on plasma cortisol (p < .05). In conclusion, we have demonstrated that abdominal surgery resulted in typical stress changes with no significant effects of a single vitamin E/Se injection on blood lipid peroxidation. In addition, a weaker cortisol response to the abdominal surgery was recognized in animals treated with vitamin E and selenium.     

The ovine cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses to bluetongue virus

This study uses recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing truncated or entire bluetongue virus (BTV) proteins to map the location of epitopes recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) from Australian merino sheep. The non-structural protein, NS1, was recognised by CTL from all sheep, while VP2, VP3, VP5 and VP7 were recognised by CTL from only some sheep. The remaining proteins (except for VP1, which was not tested) did not contain CTL epitopes. When truncated genes were used to map the location of CTL epitopes, it was found that sheep often have CTL that recognise more than one epitope in NS1 or VP2. Overall there was considerable diversity in the CTL recognition patterns in the sheep tested.     

Effect of selenium on sheep lymphocyte responses to mitogens

The effect of selenium (Se) on sheep lymphocyte response to mitogens was studied. In an indoor experiment lambs were fed a basal diet containing 0.13 mg Se kg-1, and supplemented with, respectively, 0.1 or 0.5 mg Se kg-1, either as sodium selenite or as selenomethionine. Enhancement of the proliferative response of lymphocytes to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and concanavalin A was found in lambs following selenium supplementation at the lower levels. The highest dietary selenium content, however, induced decreased mitogen response. Transient increases in lymphocyte response to PHA and PWM by ewes supplemented with selenium was demonstrated in one field study and a combined effect of selenium and vitamin E was seen in another. There was no stimulatory effect on the mitogen response of lymphocytes from sheep supplemented with dietary vitamin E alone.     

Effect of supplementation of vitamin E, selenium and their different combinations on the performance and immune response of broilers

1. The effect of dietary vitamin E, selenium (Se) and their different combinations on body weight gain, food consumption, food conversion efficiency, leukocyte migration inhibition and antibody production was determined in broilers. 2. Chicks were fed on maize-soya bean based diets with concentrations of supplemental vitamin E varying from 0 to 300 IU/kg and selenium concentrations varying from 0 to 1 mg/kg either alone or in combination from 1 to 42 d of age. 3. The chicks were immunised for Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) vaccine at 21 d. Per cent leukocyte migration inhibition (LMI) was studied on 42 d. Antibodies to NDV in serum were determined at 10 and 21 d post immunisation (PI). 4. Chicks receiving Se, 1 mg/kg and vitamin E 300 IU/kg had significantly higher cellular immune responses in terms of per cent LMI. 5. Maximum body weight gain and best efficiency of food utilisation were obtained in chicks fed diets containing 0.50 mg/kg Se and 300 IU/kg vitamin E. 6. Significantly higher antibody titres (HI and ELISA) at 10 d PI were attributed to 0.06 mg/kg and 150 IU/kg Se and vitamin E, respectively. 7. These data suggest that optimum growth and immune response may be achieved at supplemental level of Se of 0.06 mg/kg and vitamin E at 150 IU/kg. The vitamin E level is higher than that recommended by NRC (1984, 1994).     

日粮中添加硒和维生素E对奶牛产奶性能及牛乳和血浆中硒和维生素E含量的影响

选择32头泌乳中期、胎次一致、泌乳量相近的中国荷斯坦奶牛,随机分为4组,分别为对照组(饲喂基础日粮)、添加有机硒组、添加维生素E组和添加有机硒+维生素E组,试验期60 d。结果显示:(1)日粮中单独添加硒和维生素E及同时添加硒和维生素E对奶牛的产奶量、乳蛋白、乳脂、乳糖和总固形物含量均无显著影响(P0.05);(2)日粮中添加硒显著提高了牛乳和血浆中硒的含量(P0.001);(3)日粮中添加维生素E显著提高了牛乳和血浆中维生素E的含量(P0.001);(4)同时添加硒和维生素E对于牛乳和血浆中硒和维生素E含量未出现增效作用。因此,在奶牛日粮中添加硒和维生素E是生产富硒奶和高维生素E奶的一种有效方法。     

一起雏鸡维生素E和硒缺乏症的诊治报告

1 发病情况2009年3月份,某养鸡专业户引进海兰褐蛋鸡1050只,以本地玉米、豆饼为主自行配料进行饲养,到39日龄时陆续开始发病,早期症状表现为站不起来,胸腹部皮下发青,排白色稀便.用多种抗菌药物治疗均无明显效果.发病达30%,病程3～5 d,从39日龄到44日龄6 d时间共死亡165只,死亡率为15.7%,后经确诊为维生素E和微量元素硒缺乏症.     

Effect of vitamin E supplementation on the health and fertility of dairy cows: a review

The currently recommended intake of vitamin E for dairy cows is based on the prevention of nutritional myopathy, a calf disease. However, it is likely that the vitamin E requirement of the modern dairy cow is very different from that of a calf. This review of the literature investigates the effect of vitamin E supplementation on the health and fertility of the dairy cow. Supplementation of high levels of vitamin E (at least 1000 iu per day) during the dry period and early lactation can reduce the incidence of mastitis, possibly because of an increase in immune system activity and function, but there appears to be little benefit of supplementation on infectious diseases other than mastitis. The evidence for a response in the reproductive system is more equivocal. In herds with a history of selenium deficiency and a high incidence of retained fetal membranes, supplementation, in conjunction with selenium, can reduce retention, but the evidence for an effect of supplementation on other reproductive diseases, such as cystic ovarian disease and metritis, is based on a very limited number of cases. The literature suggests that the current recommendations for vitamin E are inadequate. In particular, it suggests that the current linking of requirement to dry matter intake is incorrect, because vitamin E requirement is probably at its highest when intake is at its lowest However, the majority of the data on which this conclusion is based, come from North America where cows will encounter significantly different levels of oxidative stress from cows in the EU.