Low or Marginal Selenium Status Has a Negative Effect on the Success of Bovine Embryo Transfer

Abstract

Deficiencies in the trace elements selenium and copper have been shown to negatively affect reproductive performance in cattle. Selenium has also been shown to play a role in inflammatory regulation. Selenium impacts both the production of prostaglandins and the anti-inflammatory response, particularly through the activity of glutathione peroxidase. There is some evidence that selenium deficiency reduces embryo survival during implantation, which takes place in the fourth week after estrus. Primary copper deficiency results from insufficient levels of copper in the diet, while secondary deficiencies are attributed to the reduction in copper absorption or utilization by the antagonistic effects of molybdenum, sulfur or iron. Secondary copper deficiency caused by molybdenum interference retards embryo development and leads to early embryonic death. This field study was undertaken in an attempt to demonstrate the correlation between levels of selenium and copper in cows and the success of embryo transfer.