The effect of parenteral supplementation of vitamin E with selenium on the health and productivity of dairy cattle in the UK. 2008

N Bourne, and D C Wathes, and K E Lawrence, and M McGowan, and R A Laven
Reproduction, Genes and Development Group, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Campus, North Mymms, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, UK.

Recent work has suggested that the recommended intakes of vitamin E for dairy cattle need to be increased, particularly in dry cows. However, these suggestions are based on data from cattle in the USA, which may have significantly different oxidative stresses than European cattle. This study, which involved 594 cattle on three dairy farms, was designed to determine the effect of increased vitamin E supplementation on the health and fertility of UK dairy cows. Cattle were randomly allocated to receive either two intramuscular injections of 2100 mg of vitamin E (and 7 g of sodium selenite) 2 weeks before calving and on the day of calving, or no additional vitamin E supplementation. Although supplementation had no effect on milk yield, reproductive efficiency, or incidence of uterine infections, supplemented cattle had a lower risk of culling and a lower rate of mastitis. These figures were economically significant but not statistically significant at the 10% level. Supplementation reduced the incidence of retained fetal membranes from 6.5% to 3%, an effect which was almost significant at the 5% level. If these data are representative they suggest that vitamin E recommendations for UK cattle should be reassessed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007263 Infusions, Parenteral The administration of liquid medication, nutrient, or other fluid through some other route than the alimentary canal, usually over minutes or hours, either by gravity flow or often by infusion pumping. Intra-Abdominal Infusions,Intraperitoneal Infusions,Parenteral Infusions,Peritoneal Infusions,Infusion, Intra-Abdominal,Infusion, Intraperitoneal,Infusion, Parenteral,Infusion, Peritoneal,Infusions, Intra-Abdominal,Infusions, Intraperitoneal,Infusions, Peritoneal,Intra Abdominal Infusions,Intra-Abdominal Infusion,Intraperitoneal Infusion,Parenteral Infusion,Peritoneal Infusion
D007774 Lactation The processes of milk secretion by the maternal MAMMARY GLANDS after PARTURITION. The proliferation of the mammary glandular tissue, milk synthesis, and milk expulsion or let down are regulated by the interactions of several hormones including ESTRADIOL; PROGESTERONE; PROLACTIN; and OXYTOCIN. Lactation, Prolonged,Milk Secretion,Lactations, Prolonged,Milk Secretions,Prolonged Lactation,Prolonged Lactations
D008892 Milk The off-white liquid secreted by the mammary glands of humans and other mammals. It contains proteins, sugar, lipids, vitamins, and minerals. Cow Milk,Cow's Milk,Milk, Cow,Milk, Cow's
D010298 Parity The number of offspring a female has borne. It is contrasted with GRAVIDITY, which refers to the number of pregnancies, regardless of outcome. Multiparity,Nulliparity,Primiparity,Parity Progression Ratio,Parity Progression Ratios,Ratio, Parity Progression,Ratios, Parity Progression
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D011248 Pregnancy Complications Conditions or pathological processes associated with pregnancy. They can occur during or after pregnancy, and range from minor discomforts to serious diseases that require medical interventions. They include diseases in pregnant females, and pregnancies in females with diseases. Adverse Birth Outcomes,Complications, Pregnancy,Adverse Birth Outcome,Birth Outcome, Adverse,Complication, Pregnancy,Outcome, Adverse Birth,Pregnancy Complication
D011897 Random Allocation A process involving chance used in therapeutic trials or other research endeavor for allocating experimental subjects, human or animal, between treatment and control groups, or among treatment groups. It may also apply to experiments on inanimate objects. Randomization,Allocation, Random
D002417 Cattle Domesticated bovine animals of the genus Bos, usually kept on a farm or ranch and used for the production of meat or dairy products or for heavy labor. Beef Cow,Bos grunniens,Bos indicus,Bos indicus Cattle,Bos taurus,Cow,Cow, Domestic,Dairy Cow,Holstein Cow,Indicine Cattle,Taurine Cattle,Taurus Cattle,Yak,Zebu,Beef Cows,Bos indicus Cattles,Cattle, Bos indicus,Cattle, Indicine,Cattle, Taurine,Cattle, Taurus,Cattles, Bos indicus,Cattles, Indicine,Cattles, Taurine,Cattles, Taurus,Cow, Beef,Cow, Dairy,Cow, Holstein,Cows,Dairy Cows,Domestic Cow,Domestic Cows,Indicine Cattles,Taurine Cattles,Taurus Cattles,Yaks,Zebus
D002418 Cattle Diseases Diseases of domestic cattle of the genus Bos. It includes diseases of cows, yaks, and zebus. Bovine Diseases,Bovine Disease,Cattle Disease,Disease, Bovine,Disease, Cattle,Diseases, Bovine,Diseases, Cattle
D003612 Dairying Production, storage, and distribution of DAIRY PRODUCTS. Dairy Industry,Dairy Industries,Industries, Dairy,Industry, Dairy

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