Vitamin E and selenium in milk of ewes

Abstract

Eighteen ewes were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: control, injected vitamin E, and injected selenium, with the objective of evaluating the effect of these treatments on the concentration of vitamin E and selenium in the milk. Vitamin E injections were given by intramuscular injection at the rate of 2000 IU per ewe at lambing and at 6 wk after lambing. Selenium supplementation was given by intramuscular injection at the rate of 12 mg sodium selenite at lambing and at 5 wk after lambing. Milk samples from all ewes in the three groups were collected for determination of vitamin E and selenium 0, 1, 2, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, and 56 d after lambing. Ewes injected with vitamin E or selenium at lambing increased the concentration of these nutrients in milk during the first 14 d of lactation; as a result, increased amounts of vitamin E and selenium were available to suckling lambs during their early days of life. Milk levels of selenium but not vitamin E were increased by subsequent injection of selenium or vitamin E, respectively. It was also observed that colostrum contained higher concentrations of both vitamin E and selenium than did whole milk. Key words: Vitamin E, Se, milk, ewes