EFFECT OF SELENIUM SUPPLEMENTATION ON COLOSTRAL IGG CONCENTRATION IN COWS GRAZING SELENIUM-DEFICIENT PASTURES AND ON POSTSUCKLE SERUM IGG CONCENTRATION IN THEIR CALVES

Effects of selenium (Se) deficiency and supplementation on production of colostral immunoglobulins by beef cows and transfer of antigen-spec ific and nonspecific immunoglobulins to their calves were examined. Ei ghty beef cows, with marginal to deficient Se status (blood Se concent ration, 50 mu g/L), were allotted by breed and age to 1 of 4 Se treatm ent groups (n = 20/group): no supplemental Se; parenteral administrati on 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 parente ral administration of 0.1 mg of Se and 1 mg of vitamin E/kg plus ad li bitum 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 mu g/kg) during the study that began at mid-gestation and ended at po stpartum hour 24. Although the concentration of specific lysozyme anti bodies 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 cal f serum IgM concentrations did not differ among treatments.