EFFECTS OF WATER SUPPLEMENTATION WITH SELENIUM AND VITAMIN-E ON GROWTH-PERFORMANCE AND BLOOD SELENIUM AND SERUM VITAMIN-E CONCENTRATIONS INWEANLING PIGS

Objective-To determine effects of supplementation of drinking water wi th selenium and vitamin E on blood selenium and serum vitamin E concen trations, growth performance, and water intake of pigs. Design-Prospec tive controlled study. Animals-228 weanling pigs. Procedure-In experim ents 1 and 2, pigs were given drinking water supplemented with seleniu m and vitamin E, and blood selenium and serum vitamin E concentrations were measured. In experiment 3, growth performance and water intake w ere measured in pigs that received supplemented water for 2 or 5 weeks and in control pigs. Results-in experiment 1, blood selenium concentr ations were significantly increased after 7 days of supplementation, a nd serum vitamin E concentrations were significantly increased after 1 and 7 days of supplementation, compared with baseline concentrations. In experiment 2, blood selenium concentrations were not significantly different between treated and control pigs, and serum vitamin E conce ntrations were significantly increased on day 7. In experiment 3, gain -to-feed ratios were significantly higher for pigs supplemented with s elenium and vitamin E for 5 weeks, but other differences were not dete cted. Clinical Implications-Supplementation of drinking water with sel enium and vitamin E may improve the selenium and vitamin E status of w eanling pigs by increasing selenium and vitamin E intake.