Induction of lesions of selenium-vitamin E deficiency in pigs fed silver.
Four weanling swine fed for 4 weeks a commercial ration adequate in selenium and vitamin E, but supplemented with 0.5% silver acetate, developed lesions typical of selenium-vitamin E deficiency. Clinically, the pigs fed this high level of silver had anorexia, diarrhea, and growth depression; 3 of 4 pigs died. At necropsy, hepatic lesions of hepatosis dietetica were present in 4 of 4 silver-fed pigs, and 1 of 4 pigs had cardiac and skeletal muscle lesions characteristic of selenium-vitamin E deficiency. Development of lesions and mortality was prevented in 2 pigs fed the silver diet supplemented with alpha-tocopherol (100 IU/kg of diet), but not in 2 pigs fed the ration supplemented with selenium as selenite (1 ppm). Four pigs fed a lower dose level of silver (0.2% silver acetate) for 6 weeks failed to develop clinical or pathologic features of selenium-vitamin E deficiency. However, hepatic selenium content was significantly increased in pigs fed the silver-supplemented ration.
D000818:Animals; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D012643:Selenium / Q000172:deficiency*; D012834:Silver / Q000633:toxicity*; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D014811:Vitamin E Deficiency / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*
D012834:Silver; D012643:Selenium