title: [Vitamin E and selenium in the feed of farm animals (author's transl)].
abstract: A survey is given of vitamin E and selenium deficiency syndromes in farm animals. Some syndromes can be attributed to the exclusive deficiency of one of the above-mentioned feed components. In some cases with practically complete lack of both componentspathological symptoms can be cured by the addition of one of them to the feed in sufficient amount. A synergistic effect of vitamin E and selenium is sometimes found to recur. The most important theory about the functioning of vitamin E is that it acts as an antioxidant. This theory presumes that, in case of a vitamin E deficiency, peroxidation of unsaturated lipids can occur everywhere in the body leading to oxidative chain reactions. The free radicals thus produced might participate in non-specific reactions with functional and structural compounds. Vitamin E is considered able to reduce lipid peroxides or scavenge free radicals from chain reactions. The pros' and cons' of this theory are discussed. The role of vitamin E has further been associated with thenium is part of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase. This enzyme catalyses the reaction of reduced glutathione with peroxides, whereby hydroxy-acids and oxidized glutathione are generated. Most probably the glutathione peroxidase has its antioxidative action in the cytosol, whereas vitamin E is mainly located in the membranes of the cell.
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000662:veterinary; D004678:Encephalomalacia / Q000662:veterinary; D005122:Exudates and Transudates; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000662:veterinary; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000662:veterinary; D007246:Infertility / Q000662:veterinary; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D009137:Muscular Dystrophy, Animal; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000662:veterinary; D010860:Pigments, Biological; D010922:Placenta Diseases / Q000662:veterinary; D011247:Pregnancy; D012643:Selenium / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000378:metabolism; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000378:metabolism; D014811:Vitamin E Deficiency / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D010860:Pigments, Biological; D014810:Vitamin E; D004247:DNA; D012643:Selenium
vernacular_title: Vitamine e in selenium in de voeding van de landbouwhuisdieren