A deficiency in vitamin E or selenium in cows can lead to a variety of problems. These include oxidized milk, lower immune function, and white muscle disease. In addition, vitamin E and selenium can cause lower milk production, mastitis, and retained placentas. Deficits of these nutrients should be supplemented for maximum results. Here are some of the benefits of vitamin E and selenium for cattle.
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Supplementation
While there are no proven clinical signs of low vitamin E/selenium levels in adult cows, these nutrients are important for proper growth and overall health. Low selenium and vitamin E levels have been linked to higher rates of white muscle disease, retained placentas, and oxidized milk in cattle. A deficiency of vitamin E or selenium in cattle may even lead to milk fever.
In the past, vitamin E content in cattle feeds has increased slowly. However, changes in feed processing have led to a reduction in natural sources of vitamin E in cattle diets. Agricultural practices have shifted from feeding pastures and hay to grain-based feeds high in moisture after fermentation. Also, the number of confinement systems and milk production goals has doubled from thirty years ago. These changes have resulted in a decline in the natural content of vitamin E in cattle feed and have created a breeding environment in which the vitamins are rapidly destroyed in the rumen.
Symptoms of deficiency
Selenium and vitamin E deficiencies in cattle are characterized by clinical signs of myodegeneration. This condition affects the skeletal muscles and heart, but clinical signs vary by muscle group. Affected animals have a stiff gait and cannot stand up. Intercostal and heart muscle lesions may cause respiratory distress and sudden death. The serum concentration of vitamin E and selenium in cattle can be detected using serum samples.
A deficiency of selenium and vitamin E in cattle affects growth and health. A cow that is born deficient of these vitamins can have a retained placenta or exhibit white muscle disease. Selenium deficiency also lowers the immune function and increases the incidence of mastitis in the calf. It also leads to a moderate increase in somatic cell count.
Reduced incidence of mastitis
Researchers have demonstrated that vitamin E and selenium can help reduce the incidence of mastitis in cows. A study in the Netherlands showed that 25% of cows with the first calf were infected with subclinical mastitis during the first 100 days of lactation. The result is lower milk yields and an increase in somatic cell count.
To test the effect of prepartum supplementation with vitamin E and selenium, sixty multiparous Holstein dairy cows were divided into three groups and given one of three treatments. The treatments were either a single intramuscular injection of vitamin E and selenium three weeks before parturition or daily oral supplementation with vitamin E and selenium for the three weeks before parturition.
In addition to the antioxidant effect of these two nutrients, vitamin E and selenium are important for dairy cows. It is important to supplement vitamin E with selenium before calving, as a shortage of either mineral can weaken the immune system of dairy cattle. Intramammary infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus are particularly common during the first two weeks before calving.
Improved immune function
Adding trace minerals such as selenium and vitamin E to livestock diets is essential for optimal animal reproduction and performance. In addition, the trace minerals enhance the immune function of dairy cattle. In fact, insufficient intake of selenium and vitamin E is associated with increased retained fetal membranes and risk of abortion in dairy cattle. These minerals must be added in a proportion appropriate to the amount of cattle consuming the feed.
Selenium and vitamin E are two of the most important antioxidants in cow’s diets. They improve the immune system of cattle by acting as antioxidants. Studies conducted at Penn State University and Ohio State found that selenium and vitamin E combined had an additive effect on the duration of mastitis in dairy cows. However, selenium supplementation did not have a significant effect on mastitis duration.
