Abstract
Experimental induction of vitamin E and selenium deficiency by deficient diet was carried out on Awassi ewes and their newborn lambs. The clinical signs were characterized by sudden death in 4 lambs out of 14 lambs in deficient group and other lambs showed a variable signs included inability to suckle, arched back, weakness, dullness, emaciation and recumbency. Serum selenium and vitamin E levels of these lambs were 0.01 ppm and 0.34 mg/L respectively. The clinical signs in ewes included loss of body weight and loss of wool, Weakness, dullness and recumbency. Serum selenium and vitamin E levels of these ewes were 0.02 ppm and 0.61mg/L respectively. It was concluded that vitamin E and selenium are essential antioxidants and their deficiency exposes the sheep industry to many serious losses.
Highlights
Animals affected with vitamin E and selenium deficiency may be found in sternal recumbency and unable to stand collapse and die suddenly without any premonitory signs within a few days (1)
Pregnant ewes deficient in vitamin E and/or selenium may increase the incidence of stillbirth progeny, or weak lambs, which only survive for a few days before dying because of acute heart failure (2)
Induction of selenium and vitamin E deficiency done by feeding a diet consisted of cod liver oil 3%, ground corn 0.5 kg/ animal, discolored bad quality hay ad lib and water was offered all the time (9).Feeding of this deficient diet lasted for three months.The deficiency was diagnosed according to the clinical signs and the decrease in levels of selenium and vitamin E than normal
Summary
Animals affected with vitamin E and selenium deficiency may be found in sternal recumbency and unable to stand collapse and die suddenly without any premonitory signs within a few days (1). Pregnant ewes deficient in vitamin E and/or selenium may increase the incidence of stillbirth progeny, or weak lambs, which only survive for a few days before dying because of acute heart failure (2). Skeletal and cardiac muscle necrosis has been reported, and clinical signs can range from stiffness and lameness to acute death, usual age of occurrence is 1 to 4 wk (3). Leg muscles are usually affected first and overt signs can range from mild stiffness and discomfort (often mistaken for joint-ill) to recumbency, reluctance to move or even collapse when driven (6, 7 and 8). The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical signs of experimentally induced vitamin E and selenium deficiency in Awassi ewes and their newborn lambs
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