Selenium and white muscle disease: effect of sulfate and energy levels on plasma enzymes and ruminal microbes
Whanger, P.D.; Weswig, P.H.; Muth, O.H.; Oldfield, J.E.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 31(6): 965-972
1970
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 5430703 Document Number: 19192
Eighty ewes were divided into eight lots and fed 1, 600 g of selenium-deficient lucerne hay plus 100 g of oats per ewe per day. Ewes in lots 1 and 2 were not given additional supplement; ewes in lots 3 and 4 were given an additional 150 g of cerelose per ewe per day; ewes in lots 5 and 6 were given 1% K2SO4; and ewes in lots 7 and 8 were given both 1% K2SO4and 150 g of cerelose per ewe daily. The ewes in lots 2, 4, 6, and 8 were given sodium selenite (0.75 mg of Se/10 kg body wt.) 90 and 30 days before the estimated parturition date. Blood was collected from the jugular vein for enzyme assays when the lambs were 2 weeks old and when the lambs were killed (6 weeks old). Plasma enzymes (GOT, LDH, alpha-hydroxybutyric dehydrogenase and creatine phospho-kinase) increased in 6-week-old lambs in lots 1, 3, 5, and 7. Except for two in lot 4 and one in lot 6, the lambs of ewes given selenium did not have white muscle disease. Selenium prevented the effect of sulfate in the production of cardiac lesions. Selenium improved appetite of the ewes. The Se conc. of ruminai micro-organisms from 6-week-old lambs was 2-10 times greater than the level in the diet.