Effects of Vitamin E and Selenium Deficiencies in Sheep Fed a Purified Diet during Growth and Reproduction

Fertilization of Ova in Selenium/Vitamin E-Treated Ewes Maintained on Two Planes of Nutrition2

“…Serum Se (.16 ppm) levels in SSE-ewe groups would be considered adequate in reference to similar and somewhat lower levels reported as adequate for growth and (or) reproduction in sheep , beef (Segerson et al, 1977) and dairy cows Julien et al, 1976). Serum vitamin E (133 to 143 mg/lO0 ml) data for SSE-APN ewes were comparable to levels described as adequate for reproduction in ewes, while serum levels (<64 mg/lO0 ml) for NSE ewes in this study would be considered suboptimal (Buchanan-Smith et al, 1969). It must be noted that this study was not intended to differentiate between the nutrient effects on fertility and the nutrient effects on uterine contractile function, but to investigate the usage of the combined supplement on reproductive function, since positive effects of both nutrients on various aspects of reproduction have been reported previously (Buchanan-Smith et al, 1969;Mudd and Mackie, 1973;Julien et al, 1976;Segerson et al, 1977).…”

“…Fertility Study. Sixty mature Western ewes between 2 and 7 years of age (mean = 4.8 -+ .3 years) and weighing between 33.6 and 57.7 kg (mean = 44.5 -+ .9 kg) were randomly allotted within age and weight classes to four treatment groups ( -Smith et al, 1969). The percentage composition of the diets is presented in table 1.…”

“…The beneficial effects of selenium (Se) in livestock have generated much interest in recent years, especially since Se-deficient areas have been identified in the United States (Kubota et al, 1967). Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of supplemental Se and Se plus vitamin E in increasing various aspects of reproductive efficiency in female ruminants (Hartley and Grant, 1961;Hartley, 1963;Buchanan-Smith et al, 1969;Mudd and Mackie, 1973;Scales, 1974;Julien etal., 1976;Segerson et al, 1977). Buchanan-Smith et al (1969)reported that injections containing both Se and vitamin E increased the conception rate in ewes and number of lambs weaned, while Mudd and Mackie (1973) demonstrated that this nutrient combination increased the number of lambs born per ewe.…”

“…Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of supplemental Se and Se plus vitamin E in increasing various aspects of reproductive efficiency in female ruminants (Hartley and Grant, 1961;Hartley, 1963;Buchanan-Smith et al, 1969;Mudd and Mackie, 1973;Scales, 1974;Julien etal., 1976;Segerson et al, 1977). Buchanan-Smith et al (1969)reported that injections containing both Se and vitamin E increased the conception rate in ewes and number of lambs weaned, while Mudd and Mackie (1973) demonstrated that this nutrient combination increased the number of lambs born per ewe. Infertility in flocks of Romney (Hartley, 1963) and Merino (Scales, 1974) ewes in New Zealand was significantly reduced by treatment with Se before mating, whereas infertility in beef cows in this same area of New Zealand was not affected by Se treatment prior to mating (Scales, 1976).…”

Effect of induced high linoleic acid and tocopherol content on the oxidative stability of rendered veal fat

“…However, tissue levels can be increased by increasing tocopherol levels in the diet over a period of time. Buchanan-Smith, et al, (14) reported that an increase in the vitamin E level of the diet resulted in significant increases in the tocopherol content of the skeletal muscle of ewes. Among species, however, differences have been shown in the ability to deposit dietary tocopherol in tissues.…”