FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / J Anim Sci / Clinical assessment of selenium status of livestock.
Journal of animal science1992; 70(12); 3928-3933; doi: 10.2527/1992.70123928x

Clinical assessment of selenium status of livestock.

Abstract: Assessment of the selenium status of livestock is an important aspect of production medicine, but variations in reported values between laboratories and between methods may be > 30%. Reliable interpretations require considerable experience with an assay and an extensive database from field and research case samples of a variety of species. The Michigan State University Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory (MSU-ADHL) has offered Se analyses by acid-digestion and fluorometric detection since 1982. This laboratory expects serum Se values (nanograms per milliliter) of livestock to increase gradually with age from starting ranges for neonates of 50 to 80 for calves and sheep and 70 to 90 for foals and pigs. Expected or "normal" values for the adults are in the ranges of 70 to 100 for cattle, 120 to 150 for sheep, 130 to 160 for horses, and 180 to 220 for swine. Normal liver Se concentrations are considered to range between 1.2 and 2.0 micrograms/g on a dry weight basis, regardless of the species or age. Based on samples submitted to MSU-AHDL between September 1990 and August 1991, contemporary feeding practices in the Michigan area resulted in mean serum Se values (nanograms per milliliter) of 75 +/- 19 for adult Holsteins, 170 +/- 27 for adult swine (mixed breeds), and 137 +/- 30 for adult race horses. Within that period of time, two field cases of Se toxicity were diagnosed. One involved feeder pigs with a recorded high serum Se value of 1,525 ng/mL due to a commercial premix manufacturing error.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 1992-12-01 PubMed ID: 1474029DOI: 10.2527/1992.70123928xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Review

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research paper discusses the challenges and findings in assessing selenium status in livestock, citing variable results in methods and laboratories and reporting normal selenium values for different species based on studies from Michigan State University’s Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory.

Understanding the Importance of Selenium Assessment

  • The research highlights the key role of selenium in the livestock production process. Assessing the selenium status of livestock is essential in production medicine as it affects the livestock’s overall performance and health.
  • However, the difficulty in selenium assessment lies in the variations of reported values between different laboratories and methodologies. In some cases, the discrepancies can be over 30%, indicating a lack of standardization in selenium assessment.
  • The proficiency in interpreting these results depends largely on one’s experience with an assay and a comprehensive database from field and research case samples across a variety of species.

Michigan State University Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory Findings

  • The MSU-AHDL has been conducting selenium analyses via acid-digestion and fluorometric detection since 1982. The research presents their findings on expected selenium values in livestock.
  • According to MSU-AHDL, serum selenium values for newborn livestock such as calves, sheep, foals, and pigs, are expected to gradually increase with their age. They provided specific ranges for these values, starting from 50 ng/mL for newborn livestock and going up to 220 ng/mL for adult swine.
  • It is also stated that the normal liver selenium concentrations should be between 1.2 and 2.0 micrograms/g on a dry weight basis, regardless of the species or age of the livestock.
  • The study also provides data on average serum selenium values recorded in the Michigan area based on dietary practices among several species of livestock.

Identifying Selenium Toxicity

  • The paper also mentioned two field cases of selenium toxicity confirmed within the time frame of the study. One case was involving feeder pigs that showed spectacularly high serum selenium values, reaching 1,525 ng/mL, due to an error in manufacturing of selenium premix used in their feed.
  • This discovery emphasizes the necessity for careful selenium administration in livestock to avoid harmful toxicity levels that may severely impact the health and wellbeing of the animals.

Cite This Article

APA
Stowe HD, Herdt TH. (1992). Clinical assessment of selenium status of livestock. J Anim Sci, 70(12), 3928-3933. https://doi.org/10.2527/1992.70123928x

Publication

Journal of animal science
ISSN: 0021-8812
NlmUniqueID: 8003002
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 70
Issue: 12
Pages: 3928-3933

Researcher Affiliations

Stowe, H D
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824.
Herdt, T H

    MeSH Terms

    • Aging / metabolism
    • Animals
    • Animals, Domestic / blood
    • Animals, Domestic / metabolism
    • Cattle / blood
    • Horse Diseases / chemically induced
    • Horses / blood
    • Liver / chemistry
    • Reference Values
    • Selenium / analysis
    • Selenium / blood
    • Selenium / poisoning
    • Sheep / blood
    • Swine / blood
    • Swine Diseases / chemically induced

    References

    This article includes 33 references

    Citations

    This article has been cited 15 times.
    1. Acosta-Dacal A, Melián Henríquez A, Corbera JA, Macías-Montes A, Zumbado M, Ruiz-Suárez N, Martín-Barrasa JL, Luzardo OP, Tejedor-Junco MT. Comprehensive Profiling of Essential Elements and Organic and Inorganic Contaminants in Dromedary Camels from the Canary Islands: A Baseline for Nutritional and Environmental Assessment. Vet Sci 2025 Aug 29;12(9).
      doi: 10.3390/vetsci12090829pubmed: 41012755google scholar: lookup
    2. Żarczyńska K, Brym P, Tobolski D. The Role of Selenitetriglycerides in Enhancing Antioxidant Defense Mechanisms in Peripartum Holstein-Friesian Cows. Animals (Basel) 2024 Feb 13;14(4).
      doi: 10.3390/ani14040610pubmed: 38396578google scholar: lookup
    3. White-Springer SH, Vineyard KR, Kivipelto J, Warren LK. Dietary omega-3 fatty acid supplementation does not impair vitamin E status or promote lipid peroxidation in growing horses. J Anim Sci 2021 Jul 1;99(7).
      doi: 10.1093/jas/skab177pubmed: 34228797google scholar: lookup
    4. Escalera-Valente F, Alonso ME, Lomillos JM, Gaudioso VR, Alonso ÁJ, González-Montaña JR. Effect of Intense Exercise on Plasma Macrominerals and Trace Elements in Lidia Bulls. Vet Sci 2021 Jun 1;8(6).
      doi: 10.3390/vetsci8060097pubmed: 34205854google scholar: lookup
    5. Azorín I, Madrid J, Martínez S, López M, López MB, López MJ, Hernández F. Can Moderate Levels of Organic Selenium in Dairy Cow Feed Naturally Enrich Dairy Products?. Animals (Basel) 2020 Dec 1;10(12).
      doi: 10.3390/ani10122269pubmed: 33271958google scholar: lookup
    6. Pitel MO, McKenzie EC, Johns JL, Stuart RL. Influence of specific management practices on blood selenium, vitamin E, and beta-carotene concentrations in horses and risk of nutritional deficiency. J Vet Intern Med 2020 Sep;34(5):2132-2141.
      doi: 10.1111/jvim.15862pubmed: 32686861google scholar: lookup
    7. Hosnedlova B, Kepinska M, Skalickova S, Fernandez C, Ruttkay-Nedecky B, Malevu TD, Sochor J, Baron M, Melcova M, Zidkova J, Kizek R. A Summary of New Findings on the Biological Effects of Selenium in Selected Animal Species-A Critical Review. Int J Mol Sci 2017 Oct 21;18(10).
      doi: 10.3390/ijms18102209pubmed: 29065468google scholar: lookup
    8. Netto AS, Zanetti MA, Correa LB, Del Claro GR, Salles MS, Vilela FG. Effects of dietary selenium, sulphur and copper levels on selenium concentration in the serum and liver of lamb. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci 2014 Aug;27(8):1082-7.
      doi: 10.5713/ajas.2013.13818pubmed: 25083101google scholar: lookup
    9. Waldner CL, Van De Weyer LM. Selenium status at the end of the grazing season, reproductive performance and degenerative myopathy in beef herds. Can Vet J 2011 Oct;52(10):1083-8.
      pubmed: 22467962
    10. Muirhead TL, Wichtel JJ, Stryhn H, McClure JT. The selenium and vitamin E status of horses in Prince Edward Island. Can Vet J 2010 Sep;51(9):979-85.
      pubmed: 21119864
    11. Wichtel JJ, Keefe GP, Van Leeuwen JA, Spangler E, McNiven MA, Ogilvie TH. The selenium status of dairy herds in Prince Edward Island. Can Vet J 2004 Feb;45(2):124-32.
      pubmed: 15025148
    12. Menzies PI, Boermans H, Hoff B, Durzi T, Langs L. Survey of the status of copper, interacting minerals, and vitamin E levels in the livers of sheep in Ontario. Can Vet J 2003 Nov;44(11):898-906.
      pubmed: 14664352
    13. Hemingway RG. The influences of dietary selenium and vitamin E intakes on milk somatic cell counts and mastitis in cows. Vet Res Commun 1999 Dec;23(8):481-99.
      doi: 10.1023/a:1006362422945pubmed: 10672965google scholar: lookup
    14. Smith BI, Donovan GA, Rae DO. Selenium toxicosis in a flock of Katahdin hair sheep. Can Vet J 1999 Mar;40(3):192-4.
      pubmed: 10086221
    15. Waldner C, Campbell J, Jim GK, Guichon PT, Booker C. Comparison of 3 methods of selenium assessment in cattle. Can Vet J 1998 Apr;39(4):225-31.
      pubmed: 9559213
    Subscribe to our newsletter
    Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.