title: [Differences in the selenium supply of cattle across Europe].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evaluation of differences in the selenium supply of cattle across Europe.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 35,722 serum samples from cattle throughout Europe (unknown clinical status), which had been sent by veterinarians to the IDEXX Vet Med Lab Ludwigsburg, Germany between January 1st, 2006, and June 30th, 2013, were analyzed routinely for the selenium concentration using ICP-analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The collective data of the selenium concentration in cattle serum display seasonal variations, with a lower concentration during summer when compared to the winter. In recent years, the selenium supply has decreased. The farm size, husbandry conditions, economic situation, soil selenium concentration and the countries' specific feeding together play a key role in the selenium supply of the herd. Hungary and the Scandinavian countries Sweden and Denmark show the best selenium supply in Europe. A very poor situation exists in France and Luxembourg (> 50% of the cattle samples are undersupplied).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An optimal selenium supply for cattle is very important; a trace element deficiency can cause negative health effects and impair herd performance. The selenium concentration varies considerably, depending upon feeding and husbandry conditions. Therefore, a serum selenium analysis in cattle is essential and should be performed annually.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Anja Müller, Vet Med Labor GmbH, Analytische Chemie, Mörikestraße 28/3, 71636 Ludwigsburg, E-Mail: anja-mueller@idexx.com.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bertram
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Freude
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000097:blood*; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000097:blood; D003677:Deficiency Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary; D005060:Europe; D012621:Seasons; D012643:Selenium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood* / Q000172:deficiency; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000172:deficiency / Q000600:supply & distribution
chemical_list: D014131:Trace Elements; D012643:Selenium
keywords: European countries; Selenium; cattle; serum; trace element