Effect of Vitamin E and Selenium Administration on the Reproductive Performance in Dairy Cows

Abstract

Incidence of retained placenta in dairy cows was investigated in 120 parturitions. Prior to calving, cows were allotted into four groups; 1) control, 2) the injection of Vitamin E (500 IU), 3) the injection of selenium (40 mg), and 4) the injection of Vitamin E (500 IU) and selenium (40 mg). Selenium (Se) and Vitamin E were injected intramusculary 20 d prior to the estimated calving date. No effects of Se or Vitamin E administration alone was observed for number of service per conception, conception rate, and estrus rate (p > 0.05). But the Vitamin E administration with Se significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the incidence of retained placenta and the days required for calving the first service. Incidence of retained placenta was not significantly (p > 0.05) influenced by parity, but it was significantly (p < 0.01) influenced by season, especially, increased during July and August. Concentration of Se in plasma was not significantly (p > 0.05) changed during peripartum period whether the treatment. The results of this study on retained placenta suggest that this disorder will be reduced by the administration of Se and Vitamin E prior to calving in dairy cows.