EFFECTS OF HIGH-DOSE PREPARTUM INJECTIONS OF SE AND VITAMIN-E ON MILKAND SERUM CONCENTRATIONS IN EWES

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of relatively high -dose Se and vitamin E injections to pregnant ewes on serum Se and alp ha-tocopherol concentrations of the dam and their offspring, the Se co ncentrations of colostrum and milk, and the relative lasting effects o f these nutrients in the body. Ewes were randomly assigned to seven ex perimental groups that included treatment combinations of three levels of Se (0, 1.0 and 1.5 mg of Se per kg BW) and two levels of vitamin E (4.5 and 9.0 mg of alpha-tocopherol per kg BW). A control group recei ved no supplementary Se or vitamin E. Treatments were administered 1 m onth prior to lambing with the quantity split into equal doses, the se cond dose being administered 8-10 days after the first. Treatment had no effect on serum Se concentrations of lambs or serum vitamin E conce ntrations of ewes. Serum Se in ewes was higher (P < 0.01) after Se sup plementation (0.082 vs. 0.036 p.p.m.). Concentrations of serum Se were lower (P < 0.05), but serum vitamin E was higher for ewes at pretreat ment. Ewes treated with the high dose of vitamin E had higher (but not significant) colostrum vitamin E concentrations, and their lambs refl ected this with higher P<0.05) serum tocopherol. Variations in milk Se were due to the interaction between periods with Se (P < 0.01) or wit h vitamin E (P < 0.05). Se-treated ewes had higher (P < 0.05) colostru m Se, and after 1 month postpartum ewes treated with the highest dose of Se still had higher (P <0.05) milk Se, thus showing a carry-over ef fect. In conclusion, Se and vitamin E prepartum injections to sheep wi ll result in higher colostrum concentrations of these elements, with a 1 month carry-over of Se in milk produced later.