Responses of Dairy Cattle to Long-Term and Short-Term Supplementation with Oral Selenium and Vitamin E

Abstract

In a two-lactation-gestation cycle experiment, 152 Holstein cows with low serum Se and vitamin E were fed total mixed rations and assigned at parturition to four groups (1, control; 2, 500 IU vitamin E/d; 3, 2 mg Se/d; 4, 500 IU vitamin E plus 2 mg Se/d). Supplements were not fed during dry periods. Serum Se and vitamin E were increased within 1 mo by oral supplements. Maximal mean serum Se in cycles 1 (67 ng/ml at 7 mo) and 2 (74 ng/ml at 4 mo) occurred in groups 3 and 4, respectively. Maximal mean serum vitamin E in cycle 1 (3.3 micrograms/ml at mo 8) and 2 (3.03 micrograms/ml at mo 2) occurred in groups 4 and 2, respectively. Selenium treatment of the dams increased Se in colostrum and in serum of presuckle calves. Vitamin E supplementation of dams did not affect vitamin E in serum of presuckled calves. Reproductive performance was not affected by supplement. In an 8-wk study, 24 lactating cows with low serum Se were assigned (6/group) to 0, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg supplemental Se/d. Maximal mean serum Se concentrations of 23, 56, 71, and 79 ng/ml were attained by wk 4 in the above respective groups. These data indicate that 2 to 2.5 mg supplemental Se/cow per d were inadequate for desirable serum Se concentrations and support recent changes in allowed Se supplementation for dairy cattle.

Effect of vitamin E, selenium and increased energy allowance on steroids and reproductive performance in transition period of crossbred cattle

“…In subsequent postpartum period some degree of reproductive ailments were evident in both group of animals but CON group of animals revealed more prone for these infections or ailments (Table 2). Though there is a consensus that supplementation of Vitamin E and Se during the window of transition period is beneficial to the dairy cow, the effect on the postpartum reproductive performance is variable (Hartley, 1963;Segerson et al, 1977;Stowe et al, 1988;Arrehiga et al, 1994). In the present study, a significant improvement in the reproductive parameters could be attributed predominantly to the additional energy and antioxidants supplementation in the ration of TRT cows.…”

Effect of vitamin E and selenium on blood glutathione peroxidase activity and some immunological parameters in sheep

“…Thus, the sheep of this experiment were possibly under stress. Supplementation of selenium more than required has already been shown to enhance the immune response in cattle and several non-ruminant species (Stowe et al, 1988;McDowell, 1992). The results of Finch and Turner (1989) suggest that whole blood GSH-Px activity is a poor indicator of immunological responses.…”

The effect of supplementing rations with selenium and vitamin E on biochemical parameters in blood and performance of cows in the early stage of lactation

“…Stowe et al (1988) report that for lactating cows to achieve a normal serum selenium level, they should consume from 5 to 7 mg Se daily.…”