Barium Selenate: A Long-Acting Selenium Preparation for Subcutaneous Injection

Abstract

Three flocks of sheep in typical selenium-deficient areas were injected with 2 ml Deposel® (100 mg selenium as barium selenate) in the autumn of 1982 and/or 1983. The selenium status in 10 ewes from each flock, and their offspring, was monitored by selenium analyses of blood samples. The injection induced an adequate increase in blood selenium within 8 weeks. Adequate selenium levels were maintained throughout the lambing season and the following summer. The selenium status in lambs from treated ewes was adequate until they were put out to pasture. Elevated selenium levels were maintained even throughout the next lambing season, and the second injection gave significantly higher blood selenium as compared to the first. The present preparation seems to be suitable and safe for protecting sheep against selenium deficiency. The dosage used seems sufficient to maintain an adequate selenium status for as long as 2 consecutive lambing seasons.