Investigation of selenium and vitamin E deficiency in beef cattle.

摘要

Following the successful treatment of a bullock with white muscle disease admitted to the Internal Medicine Clinic of Firat University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (Turkey), selenium and vitamin E deficiency was confirmed in beef cattle of the same barn. 17 head of beef cattle randomly selected from the barn with animals suspected to be suffering from selenium and vitamin E deficiency, and 10 clinically healthy head of beef cattle from a different barn were used. All the animals were clinicallyexamined and blood samples were collected for laboratory analysis (serum selenium, vitamin E and A, Creatine Kinase (CK) and Aspartate Amino Transferase (AST) levels). In addition, selenium and vitamin E analyses of the feed were performed. In the experimental group, serum selenium, vitamin E, vitamin A, CK and AST levels were 0.058 ppm, 1.706 ppm, 0.516 ppm, 152.64 IU/litre and 82.58 IU/litre, whereas the respective levels were 0.269 ppm, 2.447 ppm, 0.660 ppm, 147.5 IU/litre and 88.40 IU/litre in the control group. Selenium and vitamin E levels in the experimental group were significantly lower (P < 0.001) compared with the control group. In conclusion, although the animals of the experimental group were assessed to be clinically healthy, their serumselenium and vitamin E levels were within the marginal range. Thus, the cattle were at risk of selenium and vitamin E deficiency.