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. 1988 Jun 1;29(2):159–164. doi: 10.1186/BF03548366

Seasonal Variation of Selenium Status of Norwegian Dairy Cows and Effects of Selenium Supplementation

Sesongmessig variasjon i selen status hos norske melkekyr og effekten av selentilskudd

Erik Ropstad 1,, Olav Østerås 1, Gunnar Øvernes 1, Arne Frøslie 1
PMCID: PMC8152541  PMID: 3223465

Abstract

Blood selenium levels were found to fluctuate throughout the year, being highest during the indoor season when the greatest amounts of compound concentrates were fed. From October to January the average blood selenium levels increased from 0.10 μg/ml to 0.18 μg/ml (15 cows). Subcutaneous injections of barium selenate (500 mg selenium) increased the blood selenium levels significantly. The treated group (15 cows) reached average levels of about 0.21 μg/ml blood during the indoor season.

The effect of oral supplementation of sodium selenite (for 2 months) on the levels of plasma selenium, blood selenium and glutathione peroxidase activity was investigated. Plasma selenium was found to give an immediate reflection of the daily selenium intake. Maximum activity of glutathione peroxidase was reached 1 month after the end of the supplementation period.

It is concluded that if selenium enriched concentrates are used in a normal feeding regimen, further supplementation with selenium does not seem to be necessary.

Keywords: sodium selenite, barium selenate, glutathione peroxidase, selenium deficiency

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