Responses of dairy cattle to long-term and short-term supplementation with oral selenium and vitamin E1.
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.
Stowe
H D
HD
Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824.
Thomas
J W
JW
Johnson
T
T
Marteniuk
J V
JV
Morrow
D A
DA
Ullrey
D E
DE
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000097:blood*; D012643:Selenium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*
D014810:Vitamin E; D012643:Selenium