Vitamin E treatment of weaner sheep. II. The effect of vitamin E responsive subclinical myopathy on liveweight and wool production

1996 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 869 ◽  
Author(s):  
JM Fry ◽  
MC McGrath ◽  
M Harvey ◽  
EJ Speijers
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin E ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Selenium Deficiency ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Clinical Disease ◽  
Vitamin E Deficiency ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Subclinical Disease ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Significant Difference

Nutritional myopathy occurs as both a clinical and subclinical disease in weaner sheep in Western Australia during summer and autumn. The effect of subclinical nutritional myopathy (SCNM), caused by vitamin E deficiency or combined vitamin E and selenium deficiency, on liveweight and wool was investigated. During the period of SCNM there was no significant difference in liveweight gain in sheep with and without the disease in any of the experiments. Initial liveweight in one experiment was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in sheep that were to develop SCNM during the course of the experiment. In vitamin E deficient-selenium adequate SCNM, there was no difference in wool growth over the period of the disease and no differences in any of the wool measurements at shearing. At 2 sites, the greasy and clean fleece weights were significantly (P < 0.05) greater in a group of sheep diagnosed with more severe SCNM compared with sheep without SCNM. It was concluded that unlike the clinical disease, SCNM was unlikely to cause any economic loss.

scholarly journals Selenium deficiency activates mouse liver Nrf2–ARE but vitamin E deficiency does not

2008 ◽  
Vol 44 (8) ◽  
pp. 1617-1623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond F. Burk ◽  
Kristina E. Hill ◽  
Akihiro Nakayama ◽  
Volker Mostert ◽  
Ximena A. Levander ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin E ◽  
Mouse Liver ◽  
Selenium Deficiency ◽  
Vitamin E Deficiency

6.3 The Development and Effects of Selenium Deficiency

1983 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 128-128
Author(s):  
J. R. Arthur ◽  
R. Boyne
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Vitamin E ◽  
Glutathione Peroxidase ◽  
Heart Muscle ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Selenium Deficiency ◽  
Focal Lesions ◽  
Vitamin E Deficiency ◽  
Vitamin E Status ◽  
Cattle And Sheep

Deficiencies of selenium (Se) and vitamin E can result in myopathies in cattle and sheep but the mechanics have not been clearly described. Both Se, as a component of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, and vitamin E as a radicle scavenger, are involved in the protection of cells against the toxic effects of oxygen. In young calves, Se/vitamin E deficiency can result in the death of the animals due to a focal myopathy occurring in heart muscle; focal lesions are also found in skeletal muscle. In older calves, a more diffuse myopathy is usually confined to skeletal muscle and usually occurs when cattle are turned out from winter housing to spring pasture. However, low Se/vitamin E status will not invariably result in clinical symptoms of myopathy and other factors may be involved. This report describes some of the biochemical changes which can occur during the onset of clinical myopathy in Se/vitamin E-deficient cattle.

scholarly journals Selenium Deficiency, but Not Vitamin E Deficiency, Activates the Mouse Liver Nrf2‐ARE Pathway

2008 ◽  
Vol 22 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond F Burk ◽  
Kristina E Hill ◽  
Akihiro Nakayama ◽  
Volker Mostert ◽  
Ximena A Levander ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin E ◽  
Mouse Liver ◽  
Selenium Deficiency ◽  
Vitamin E Deficiency

Seasonal fluctuations in wool growth in south Western Australia.

1961 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 85 ◽  
Author(s):  
AM Stewart ◽  
RJ Moir ◽  
PG Schinckel
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Seasonal Fluctuation ◽  
Seasonal Fluctuations ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Climatic Environment

The growth rate of wool was measured at monthly intervals for a period of two years in four groups totalling forty Merino sheep, maintained under typical farm conditions in a Mediterranean climatic environment. Marked seasonal fluctuation in wool growth was found in all sheep. The highest level of clean wool production, 85 attained in the spring months, was nearly three times that of the lowest level, which occurred in the autumn. The rate of wool growth fluctuated independently of body weight. Wool growth fell steep4 while bob weight was maintained; wool growth subsequently rose sharply while body weight increased relatively slowly. The factors responsible for the observed fluctuation in the rate of wool growth are discussed and the conclusion reached that lack of useful energy and protein, in the summer and autumn grazing is probably the principal cause of the decline in rate of wool growth in these months.

Further observations on plant selenium levels in Western Australia

1963 ◽  
Vol 3 (11) ◽  
pp. 284 ◽  
Author(s):  
MR Gardiner ◽  
RC Gorman
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
White Muscle ◽  
Critical Level ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Selenium Deficiency ◽  
Muscle Disease ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
White Muscle Disease ◽  
Significant Difference

A survey of plant selenium was carried out in the agricultural district of Western Australia in the spring of 1962. Pasture samples were collected from mid-August to mid-November during, or shortly after, the spring flush of growth in the different districts. Pastures were collected from both 'light' and 'heavy' country in each of the districts, and whenever possible, fertilizer history was recorded and botanical composition determined. Pasture samples from the 10-15 inch rainfall belt averaged 0.26 p.p.m. selenium ; from the 15-20 inch rainfall belt, 0.08 p.p.m., from the 21-30 inch rainfall belt, 0.056 3.p.m ; and from the higher than 30 inch belt, 0.036 p.p.m. If the critical level for selenium deficiency syndromes is placed at 0.05 p.p.m., then deficiency levels mg appear in all rainfall belts, the lower limit of which is the 15 inch isobyet. Regression analyses showed that there was a significant difference between the selenium contents of pastures from heavy and light soils in each rainfall area. The indicator condition of selenium levels of 0.05 p.p.m or less (white muscle disease) has not been seen in the northern range of the higher rainfall districts, although here, as elsewhere, plant selenium levels appear to be predicated on mean annual rainfall figures and on type of county. Grasses and cereals tended to dominate the pastures in the areas with less than 15 inches of rainfall a-year, while subterranean clover with admixtures of capeweed and grasses were chiefly found in the higher rainfall districts.

Vitamin E and selenium status of sheep during autumn in Western Australia and its relationship to the incidence of apparent white muscle disease

2007 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 535 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. L. White ◽  
L. Rewell
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin E ◽  
Whole Blood ◽  
White Muscle ◽  
Selenium Deficiency ◽  
Muscle Disease ◽  
Plasma Vitamin ◽  
Vitamin E Deficiency ◽  
White Muscle Disease ◽  
Adult Sheep ◽  
Plasma Vitamin E

This paper reports on the status of vitamin E and selenium in weaner and adult sheep in Western Australia (WA) during autumn, and its relationship to the incidence of apparent white muscle disease (WMD). A survey was conducted in which blood samples were taken from 10 weaner sheep (8–12 months of age) and 10 adult ewes (3 years of age) from flocks on 38 properties within the main southern agricultural region of WA, an area carrying ~10 million sheep. Deficiency of vitamin E was defined as a plasma α-tocopherol concentration less than 0.7 mg/L. Selenium deficiency was defined as whole blood glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity less than 50 U/L. Incidence and severity of apparent WMD were defined in terms of elevated plasma activities of creatine kinase (CK) or aspartate aminotransaminase (AST). Of the weaner flocks, 58% (22/38) had mean plasma vitamin E concentrations in the deficient range (<0.7 mg/L) and 50% (19/38) had mean CK activities above 400 U/L (mild WMD); four of these flocks had mean CK activities over 1200 U/L (severe WMD). Of all the individual weaner sheep sampled, 6% had plasma CK activities >1200 U/L. It is likely that the incidence of vitamin E deficiency would have been higher had it not been for unseasonal summer rain germinating pasture on eight of the survey farms in the northern wheat belt. Flocks from farms with an evident green flush to their pastures had higher vitamin E levels than flocks grazing dry pasture. Vitamin E deficiency was less common in adult sheep than weaner sheep, with only 16% of flocks (6/38) having mean plasma concentrations below 0.7 mg/L and 11% (4/38) with CK values above 400 U/L. Selenium deficiency was less common than vitamin E deficiency and was mostly confined to adult flocks, with only 5% (2/38) of these having mean GPx values below the critical value of 50 U/g haemoglobin. For both weaner and adult sheep classed as vitamin E deficient, CK and AST activity in plasma was best described by a combination of plasma vitamin E concentration and whole blood activity of GPx (significant linear step wise regression, P < 0.001). The present study shows that subclinical vitamin E deficiency (<0.7 mg/L) was widespread in weaner flocks in WA during autumn and that, based on the biochemical data, deficiency was associated with apparent severe muscle damage in 6% of weaner sheep sampled. Recommended strategies to treat weaner sheep showing signs of WMD include dosing with 2000–4000 mg vitamin E either by injection, oral drench or by spraying it onto supplementary grain. The level and frequency of dosing depends upon the severity of the WMD symptoms. Less is known about preventative treatment, but recent evidence suggests that providing weaner sheep with access to saltbush during autumn may prove to be a practically useful strategy. Selenium supplements should also be supplied to weaner and adult sheep in areas known to be selenium deficient.

Unbalanced plasma control of TxA2 and PGI2 synthesis in vitamin E-deficient rats

1983 ◽  
Vol 245 (5) ◽  
pp. H867-H870
Author(s):  
A. Falanga ◽  
M. G. Doni ◽  
F. Delaini ◽  
G. De Bellis Vitti ◽  
L. Imberti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin E ◽  
Platelet Rich Plasma ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Prostaglandin Synthesis ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Vitamin E Deficiency ◽  
Antioxidant Power ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Enzymatic Pathways ◽  
Stimulating Factor

Factors contributing to the antioxidant power of plasma may play a role in the control of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible effects of vitamin E deficiency on platelet and vascular prostaglandin synthesis. CD-COBS male rats were fed for 7 mo a diet containing either 1 or 75 mg/kg vitamin E. At the end of this period, serum levels of vitamin E were 0.4 +/- 0.1 and 10 +/- 0.6 micrograms/ml in the two groups, respectively. Malondialdehyde (MDA) generation by AA was significantly higher in platelet-rich plasma from vitamin E-deficient rats. Thromboxane B2 (TxB2) in serum from vitamin E-deficient rats increased about 16 times compared with controls, whereas 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels increased only 3 times. The ratio between TxB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, increased therefore manyfold in vitamin E-deficient animals. MDA formation and [14C]AA metabolism in washed platelets were similar in the two groups of animals. No significant difference was found in the PGI2 (prostacyclin) antiaggregating activity released from the aortic rings resuspended in buffer. In contrast, the capacity of plasma to stimulate PGI2 activity from "exhausted" aortic rings (prostacyclin-stimulating factor) was significantly reduced in vitamin E-deficient animals. In conclusion, vitamin E deficiency induces an unbalanced plasma regulation of AA metabolism. This results in an excessive production of platelet TxA2 compared with vascular PGI2 generation. On the other hand, vitamin E deficiency does not seem to affect directly the enzymatic pathways of AA metabolism.

Vitamin E treatment of weaner sheep. I. The effect of vitamin E supplements on plasma α-tocopherol concentrations, liveweight and wool production in penned or grazing sheep

1996 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 853 ◽  
Author(s):  
JM Fry ◽  
MC McGrath ◽  
M Harvey ◽  
F Sunderman ◽  
GM Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin E ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Alpha Tocopherol ◽  
Vitamin E Deficiency ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Vitamin E Acetate ◽  
Economic Justification ◽  
Grazing Sheep ◽  
Selenium Supplements

Effect of vitamin E supplements on liveweight gain and wool production, and their effectiveness in increasing plasma alpha -tocopherol concentrations and preventing nutritional myopathy was investigated. Commercial preparations were compared in pen and grazing experiments in the first part of the study. In a pen experiment, 3 different treatments, intramuscular oily injection, oral drench and dried supplement added to feed, were compared; in grazing sheep, intramuscular oily injection and oral drench were compared. The intramuscular oily injection was slow to increase the plasma concentrations of alpha -tocopherol in pen experiments and did not prevent vitamin E deficiency and development of subclinical myopathy in grazing experiments. Oral treatments increased plasma alpha -tocopherol concentrations in the pen experiment; though repeated oral drench did not increase plasma alpha -tocopherol in the grazing experiment, the development of subclinical nutritional myopathy was prevented. Aqueous preparations of vitamin E and the effect of selenium supplements in grazing sheep were studied in the second part of the study. Aqueous injections of 2000 mg of vitamin E acetate by intramuscular and subcutaneous routes in December and February were successful in rapidly increasing and maintaining plasma alpha -tocopherol concentrations in grazing weaner sheep. Injections of aqueous emulsions of vitamin E acetate could be the most useful preventative treatment for nutritional myopathy if problems of tissue damage can be overcome. None of the vitamin E supplements increased liveweight gain in any of the experiments, and there was no increase in wool quantity or quality in any of the grazing experiments. When selenium and vitamin E supplementation were compared, selenium-supplemented sheep had greater wool length and fibre diameter over summer-autumn than vitamin E-treated or control sheep. Vitamin E supplements are expensive; unless flocks are susceptible to vitamin E-responsive myopathy, it is suggested that there is little economic justification for using vitamin E as a supplement over the summer.

Selenium fertilizers for pastures grazed by sheep. 2. Wool and liveweight responses to selenium

1994 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 877 ◽  
Author(s):  
BR Whelan ◽  
NJ Barrow ◽  
DW Peter
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Plasma Concentration ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Whole Blood ◽  
Slow Release ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Selenium Deficiency ◽  
Wool Fibre ◽  
Wool Production

Two forms of selenium fertilizer, Na2 Se04 (quick release) and BaSe04 (slow release), prepared by Mintech of New Zealand, were applied in 1987 to pasture at Bakers Hill in Western Australia at 10 g Se ha-1. Merino wethers grazing the pasture over the following 3 years had significant increases in liveweight and wool production even though the control sheep showed no clinical symptoms of selenium deficiency. Sheep treated with selenium intra-ruminal pellets that also grazed the selenium-fertilized pasture showed no signs of toxicity and also had significant increases in liveweight and wool production. There was no significant increase in wool fibre diameter from the selenium treatments. Responses to blood selenium indicated that whole blood selenium should be maintained at a minimum value of 60 8g Se L-1 or a minimum plasma concentration of 40 8g Se L-1 to avoid subclinical selenium deficiency.

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