Vitamin E and selenium plasma concentrations in weanling pigs under field conditions in Norwegian pig herds

Tore Sivertsen,Børge Baustad,Aksel Bernhoft,Ellen Vie

doi:10.1186/1751-0147-49-1

Tore Sivertsen, Børge Baustad + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1751-0147-49-1

Copy DOI

Abstract

BackgroundThe status of α-tocopherol (vit E) and selenium (Se) has been shown to influence disease resistance in pigs, and may be important for the health of weanling pigs.MethodsPlasma levels of both vit E and Se were followed in weanling pigs under field conditions in six Norwegian pig herds. Plasma vit E and Se were measured in 3 sows from each herd and 4 piglets in the litter of each sow at the day before weaning (day -1); and in the same piglets at days 4, 8 and 18 after weaning.ResultsMean plasma vit E was 4.0 μg/ml in the sows and 2.6 μg/ml in the piglets at day -1, fell to 1.6 μg/ml in the weanling pigs at day 4, and remained low. Mean plasma Se was 0.22 μg/g in the sows and 0.08 μg/g in the piglets at day -1, rose to 0.10 μg/g in the weanlings at day 4, and continued rising.ConclusionThe results suggest that vit E and Se supplementation to piglets and weanling pigs in Norway may still be suboptimal, but that levels of the two nutrients partially compensate for each other in the weaning period.

Highlights

The status of α-tocopherol and selenium (Se) has been shown to influence disease resistance in pigs, and may be important for the health of weanling pigs
The results suggest that vit E and Se supplementation to piglets and weanling pigs in Norway may still be suboptimal, but that levels of the two nutrients partially compensate for each other in the weaning period
Other authors conclude that adequate plasma vit E levels in weanling pigs may be attained with sufficient dl-α-tocopheryl acetate in the feed [8]

Summary

Introduction

The status of α-tocopherol (vit E) and selenium (Se) has been shown to influence disease resistance in pigs, and may be important for the health of weanling pigs. In feeding experiments with weanling pigs, a number of authors have observed a drop in vit E concentrations in the plasma of pigs in the first weeks after weaning [1,2,3]. The fall in vit E has been related to low activity of carboxylester hydrolase enzymes in the gut of weanling pigs [6]. Because these enzymes cleave the dl-α-tocopheryl acetate form of the vitamin used in standard commercial feeds, the use of special supplements for weanling pigs containing non-esterified d-αtocopherol has been advocated [7]. Studies concentrating on Se only have found that transfer of Se (page number not for citation purposes)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion