Effect of Se status on some haematological parameters in neonatal piglets

Blood samples were taken from 74 1-3 day old piglets, the offspring of sows maintained during pregnancy on a commercial ration with 0.1 ppm of added Se as sodium selenite. At the time of blood sampling, all piglets were treated subcutaneously with 200 mg Fe+3 from iron dextran. Additional blood samples were taken 14 days after the iron treatment. Piglets with 14 day whole blood Se concentrations greater than 74.0 micrograms/l (n = 43) had significantly higher mean numbers of red blood cells than those with whole blood Se less than or equal to 74.0 micrograms/l (p = 0.016). The mean increase in erythrocyte numbers during the 14 day period was significantly higher in the higher than in the lower Se group (p = 0.007) as also in the piglets with plasma GSH-Px activity greater than 799 U/l at 1-3 days of age when compared to the piglets with the GSH-Px activity less than or equal to 799 U/l (p = 0.017).