The effect of selenium and vitamin E on the incidence of retained fetal membranes(RFM) was evaluated in dairy cows raised in Kyonggi-do province from July through September 1985. Sodium selenite(0.1㎎/㎏ of body weight) and vitamin E (1,000 IU) were simultaneously injected 21 days prior to the expected calving day to Holstein cows and the incidence in the treated group was compared with that in the non-treated control group. Serum levels of selenium, vitamin E, calcium, inorganic phosphorus and magnesium were also determined in the treated and the non-treated groups to compare the status of vitamin E and other minerals during periparturient period in the cows with RFM and the normal ones.
The incidence of RFM was 34.5% in cows of the non-treated group (29 heads), whereas it was significantly reduced to 9.7% in cows of the treated group (31 heads) (p<0.05).
Data for serum mineral concentrations showed that the prepartal inorganic phosphorus concentration was significantly lower in the RFM than in the not-retained group(p<0.01). As a result, the prepartal Ca/P ratio was significantly higher in the RFM group(p<0.01).
It appears that a single injection of 0.1㎎ of sodium selenite per ㎏ body weight and 1,000IU of vitamin 121 days prior to the expected calving day is an effective prophylactic for prevention of RFM, and that RFM may be related to imbalances in calcium and phosphorus metabolism.
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