Effect of vitamin e and selenium supplement on pregnant cows and their calves

Document Type : Original Articles

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of selenium and/ or vita­ min E on pregnant cows and their calves. Thirty- two healthy pregnant cows were used in this investigation. They were divided intofour equal groups. Thefirst group was con­ sidered as control without treatment. the second group was iryected intramuscular w ith selenium as sodium selenite (5mg / 1OOkg B.W}, the third group, was adminis­
tered orall y wW i vitamin E (400mg / J OOkg B.W}. while the fourth group was injected w ith selenium and administered orally with vitamin E too. One dose weekly for three successive weeks was used. The blood samples were collected.from the pregnant cows and their neonatal calves for determination the levels of selenium, vitamin E, total im­ munoglobulins and total proteins. The obtained result revealed that selenium and / or vitamin E induced improvement in the immune status of the newly born calves andalso, their levels in these calves. It could be concluded that selenium and v itamin E have sy nergistic effect, so, it is better to give them together to pregnant cows. when used as prophylaxis from diseases caused by vitamin E deficiency

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