Requirement for Selenium (as Selenite) and Vitamin E (as α-Tocopherol) in Weaned Pigs: III. The Effect on the Development of the VESD Syndrome of Varying Selenium Levels in a Low-Tocopherol Diet

Abstract

An experiment was run comprising 30 weaned pigs in six groups. The basic diet contained traces of selenium (8 µg/kg dry solids) and tocopherol (1.4 mg α-tocopherol/kg dry solids). Control pigs and pigs given low supplements of selenium and tocopherol died or were killed in a moribund condition within a month or slightly more, showing the typical lesions of the vitamin E and selenium deficiency (VESD) syndrome. A combination of 5 mg DL-α-tocopheryl acetate/kg diet and 13 5 µg selenium/kg diet proved to provide protection against the syndrome. These two supplements are inadequate when administered separately.