Effects of intramuscular injections of selenium and vitamin E on selenium-vitamin E deficiency in young pigs

Effects of intramuscular injections of selenium and vitamin E on lesions in pigs with selenium-vitamin E deficiency syndrome were determined in 2 factorial experiments, using a total 69 pigs. The pigs were fed a selenium-vitamin E deficient, 22.3% protein ration, supplemented with methionine, minerals, and vitamins. Weekly intramuscular injections of isotonic saline solution, vitamin E, selenium, or vitamin E and selenium were given to the respective treatment groups. Selenium-vitamin E deficiency lesions occurred only in pigs that were given saline injections. Weekly intramuscular injections of either selenium (as selenous acid buffered to pH (7.3) at the rate of 0.05 mg/kg of body weight or vitamin E at the rate of 20 IU/kg of body weight or the combination of selenium and vitamin E prevented cardiac and skeletal myodegeneration, hepatic necrosis, and death. Significant increases of serum aspartate aminotransferase activity values were noted in pigs with liver, heart, or skeletal muscle lesions, but these increases were not correlated with the extent of the lesions. Vascular lesions, epicardial and endocardial hemorrhages, and yellow discoloration of body fat were not features of this experimentally induced disease. These lesions may be related to factors other than the deficiency of selenium, vitamin E, or selenium and vitamin E in rations previously used in reported studies.