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

Abstract

An experiment comprising five groups of a total of 25 weaned pigs was performed, using a basic diet deficient in selenium (8.0 ± .9 μ/kg dry solids, d.s.) and vitamin E (1.4 mg α-to-copherol/kg d.s.). Selenium in the form of sodium selenite was added, namely 5, 15, 45 and 135 μ/kg food. The pigs which received no supplements or supplements up to and including 15 μ/kg died within 4 weeks. The pigs which received 45 μ/kg or 135 μ/kg survived for 3 1/2 months, when they were killed and necropsied. However, no complete protection was achieved, as elevation of serum aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), attacks of cutaneous microangiopathy (MAP), and pathologic lesions characteristic of the vitamin E and selenium deficiency (VESD) syndrome were observed in all groups.