Effect on perinatal mortality of a single selenium injection to sows and gilts
Mikél Jensen, A.; Thode Jensen, P.; Vinther, K.; Jessen, P.; Skov-Jensen, E.W.
Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 25(3): 436-444
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0044-605X PMID: 6395688 Document Number: 222749
Se treatment [to prevent deficiency-associated mortality] of pregnant sows and gilts was conducted as a double-blind placebo-controlled study in 5 commercial herds with 350 sows and gilts (Danish Landrace, Yorkshire and Landrace-Yorkshire crossbreeds). At 3-6 wk before farrowing the animals were injected once i.m. with Na-selenite (0.05 mg Se per kg) or placebo. Blood samples were taken immediately before treatment and again at 3-6 wk after farrowing to evaluate the Se status. The productivity of the sows and gilts was recorded. Within herds there was no pretreatment difference in Se status between the 2 treatment groups, while a considerable variation was seen among herds. After farrowing there were only minor differences in Se status between the treatment groups, whereas the variation among herds persisted. No effect of the Na-selenite injection was seen; there was no difference in number of liveborn, stillborn and weaned piglets between the treatment groups. The number of days from weaning to estrus and the number of estrous cycles per pregnancy were not influenced by the Na-selenite treatment.