Effects of selenium and copper administration on blood selenium and copper profile of cattle

Forty yearling shorthorn heifers were winter-fed barley silage, a diet low in copper and selenium. The animals were divided into 4 groups of 10 animals each. One group was unsupplemented, while other treatments were copper (Cu), selenium (Se), or combined Cu-Se administered by subcutaneous injections. Low Cu and Se concentrations were observed in the blood plasma of the unsupplemented group. The administration of Cu and Se raised the blood plasma Cu and Se concentrations in the heifers. However, Cu or Se administration had no effect on the growth of heifers and there was no interaction between the Se and Cu treatments.