Investigation of Selenium and Vitamin E Deficiency in Beef Cattle

Authors: MURAT DABAK, FİKRET KARATAŞ, YUSUF GÜL, ÖMER KIZIL

Abstract: Following the successful treatment of a bullock with white muscle disease admitted to the Internal Medicine Clinic of Fırat University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, selenium and vitamin E deficiency was ascertained in beef cattles of the same barn. Seventeen head of beef cattle randomly selected from the barn suspected of having selenium and vitamin E deficiency and 10 clinically healthy head of beef cattle from a different barn were used. All the animals were clinically examined and blood samples were taken for laboratory analysis [serum selenium, vitamin E and A, Creatine Kinase (CK) and Aspartate Amino Transferase (AST) levels]. In addition, selenium and vitamin E analysis of the feed were conducted. In the experimental group, serum selenium, vitamin E, vitamin A, CK and AST levels were found to be 0.058 ppm, 1.706 ppm, 0.516 ppm, 152.64 IU/L and 82.58 IU/L, whereas in the control group the levels were found to be 0.269 ppm, 2.447 ppm, 0.660 ppm, 147.5 IU/L and 88.40 IU/L, respectively. Selenium and vitamin E levels in the experimental group were significantly less (p<0,001) than those in the control group. In conclusion, although the animals of the experimental group were assessed as being clinically healthy, their serum selenium and vitamin E levels were within the marginal range. Therefore the animals were considered to be at risk of selenium and vitamin E deficiency.

Keywords: Selenium, vitamin E, deficiency, cattle

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