Depot injection of barium selenate for long‐term prevention of selenium inadequacy in beef cattle

Abstract

In southern Australia, cattle at risk from selenium (Se) deficiency can be given an oral dose of supplements that are effective in maintaining adequate Se status for between 9 and 12 months. The present study was undertaken to assess the duration of the effect of parenteral barium selenate (BaSe) in raising the Se status of cattle at pasture in an area of marginal Se deficiency. The BaSe was given subcutaneously to Hereford heifers, using an 18-gauge needle. Cattle had regular blood sampling to assay Se, from 8 days before dosing to 1155 days afterwards. Results show that a single injection of BaSe was effective in elevating blood and plasma Se concentrations to normal values for at least 2 to 3 years, when given to beef cattle of low normal Se status. We suggest that a prophylactic dosage of 0.5 mg Se/kg body weight as BaSe should be given every 2 years to prevent Se inadequacy in beef cattle grazing pasture of marginal Se content.

Selenomethionine as a Safer Substitute for Barium Selenate in Long-Acting Injectable Se Supplements for Food-Producing Animals

“…Dose rates of less than 1 mg of Se/kg of BW were effective (Table 2) and are comparable to the recommended injectable dose rates for Na 2 SeO 4 and BaSeO 4 of 0.1 and 0.5−1 mg of Se/ kg of BW, respectively. 5,41 Response to increasing dose sizes was additive (Figure 1), approximately linear and similar in efficiency to BaSeO 4 , according to AUC norm calculations. Thus, formulations can be titrated to suit animal requirements and severity of deficiency.…”

In this issue – April 2010

“…Prophylactic depot injections of barium selanate should be given every 2 years to prevent selenium (Se) inadequacy in beef cattle grazing pasture of marginal Se content, results of this study suggest 7 …”