Requirement for selenium (as selenite) and vitamin E (as alpha-tocopherol) in weaned pigs .I. The effect of varying alpha tocopherol levels in a selenium deficient diet on the development of the VESD syndrome.

Abstract

Four groups of weaned pigs were fed a basic diet deficient in selenium (8.0 ± .9 μg/kg d.s.) and vitamin E (1.4 mg α-tocopherol/kg d.s.). The diet of three groups was supplemented by α-tocopherol, namely 5, 15 and 45 mg/kg, respectively. The pigs in all groups except the one receiving 45 mg of α-tocopherol supplement developed the VESD syndrome, including lesions such as hepatosis dietetica, mulberry heart, muscular degeneration and microangiopathy. Cutaneous microangiopathy was found to be a significant sign. Blood selenium levels decreased in all groups during the experiment. Tocopherol supplementation allowed a longer time of survival and thereby produced a more advanced selenium deficiency.