Vitamin E and selenium concentrations in livers of pigs diagnosed with mulberry heart disease

During a 2-year period from January 1, 1999, to December 31, 2000, 77 diagnoses of mulberry heart disease (MHD) were documented at the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Mean (+/- SD) liver vitamin E concentrations were lower (P < 0.05) in pigs with MHD (3.12 +/- 1.12 ppm, wet weight) than in pigs that died of causes other than MHD (4.80 +/- 3.2 ppm, wet weight). The majority of the pigs affected with MHD ranged in age from 3 to 7 weeks. Statistical influence of age was found on the concentration of vitamin E (P < 0.01) but not on concentration of selenium in liver in pigs with MHD. Concentrations of vitamin E below 2 ppm were considered deficient. Hepatic vitamin E concentrations below 2 ppm were measured in 25% of the pigs with gross and microscopic lesions of MHD. In contrast, liver selenium concentrations were adequate in all pigs.