Effect of selenium-vitamin E on hematologic alterations of adriamycin toxicosis in young pigs

In 3 experiments, 45 castrated male weanling pigs (4 to 6 weeks old) were used to determine the hematologic alterations induced by adriamycin (ADR) given IV at 0.64, 1.6, or 3.2 mg/kg of body weight/week. The effect of selenium-vitamin E (Se-E) supplements on ADR toxicosis was evaluated. Mortality, decreased survival time, growth depression, leukopenia, and anemia were dose related in ADR-treated pigs. At 0.64 mg of ADR/kg/week for 16 weeks, important clinical or hematologic alterations did not develop. At 1.6 mg of ADR/kg/week for 13 weeks, mortality was 100%, mean survival time ws 65.7 days (min-max, 49 to 92 days), and moderate growth depression and marked leukopenia and anemia were present from weeks 7 to 13. At 3.2 mg of ADR/kg/week for 4 weeks, mortality was 100% and mean survival time was 22.0 days (min-max, 18 to 26 days); marked growth depression, leukopenia, and mild anemia developed (week 4). Cytologic study of smears of bone marrow from pigs that died of ADR toxicosis (3.2 mg/kg/week) revealed marked hypoplasia and evidence of decreased production and increased destruction of erythroid and myeloid cells. Beneficial effect of Se-E supplementation against ADR toxicosis was seen only in the pigs given 1.6 mg/kg/week, where prolonged survival and delayed onset of leukopenia and anemia was observed.