Effect of selenium supplementation on colostral IgG concentration in cows grazing selenium-deficient pastures and on postsuckle serum IgG concentration in their calves

• Published in: American journal of veterinary research Vol. 56; no. 4; p. 450
• Main Authors: Swecker, W.S. Jr. (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA.), Thatcher, C.D, Eversole, D.E, Blodgett, D.J, Schurig, G.S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.04.1995
• Subjects: ALIMENTACION AD LIBITUM; ALIMENTACION COMPLEMENTARIA; ALIMENTACION PARENTERAL; ALIMENTATION A SATIETE; ALIMENTATION COMPLEMENTAIRE; ALIMENTATION ENTERALE; Animal Feed; Animals; Animals, Suckling; BOVIN DE BOUCHERIE; CARENCE EN OLIGOELEMENT; Cattle; Colostrum - drug effects; Colostrum - immunology; DEFICIENCIA DE OLIGOELEMENTOS; Female; Food, Fortified; GANADO DE CARNE; IMMUNITE MATERNELLE; Immunoglobulin G - analysis; Immunoglobulin G - blood; Immunoglobulin G - metabolism; Immunoglobulin M - analysis; Immunoglobulin M - blood; IMMUNOGLOBULINE; INMUNIDAD MATERNAL; INMUNOGLOBULINA; Milk - immunology; Muramidase; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Animal - blood; Pregnancy, Animal - immunology; SELENIO; SELENIUM; Selenium - administration & dosage; Selenium - pharmacology; SERUM SANGUIN; SUERO SANGUINEO; TERNERO; VACA; VACHE; VEAU; VITAMINA E; VITAMINE E
• ISSN: 0002-9645; 1943-5681
• DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.1995.56.04.450

Effects of selenium (Se) deficiency and supplementation on production of colostral immunoglobulins by beef cows and transfer of antigen-specific and nonspecific immunoglobulins to their calves were examined. Eighty beef cows, with marginal to deficient Se status (blood Se concentration, 50 micrograms/L), were allotted by breed and age to 1 of 4 Se treatment groups (n = 20/group): no supplemental Se; parenteral administration of 0.1 mg of Se and 1 mg of vitamin E/kg of body weight; ad libitum consumption of 120 mg of Se/kg of salt-mineral mix (SMM); and parenteral administration of 0.1 mg of Se and 1 mg of vitamin E/kg plus ad libitum consumption of 120 mg of Se/kg of SMM. All cows were inoculated IM with lysozyme. Cows consumed Se-deficient pastures or hay (21 to 62 micrograms/kg) during the study that began at mid-gestation and ended at postpartum hour 24. Although the concentration of specific lysozyme antibodies was not affected, cows given 120 mg of Se/kg of SMM (treatments 3 and 4) had higher colostral IgG concentration (P 0.002) than did Se-deficient cows (treatments 1 and 2). Calves from cows in treatments 3 and 4 had higher postsuckle serum concentrations of IgG (P 0.01) than did calves from cows in treatments 1 and 2. Colostral IgM and calf serum IgM concentrations did not differ among treatments