Problems associated with selenium deficiency in beef calves

Abstract

Tissue selenium levels were low in calves born from cows receiving various forages, all low in selenium, but varying in tocopherol content and fatty acid composition. Blood and liver selenium contents were closely related to the age of the calves and decreased during the course of the experiment. The incidence of nutritional muscular dystrophy (NMD) was related to the maternal diet. No clinical NMD was noted in calves born from dams fed oat silage, a diet low in selenium and polyunsaturated fatty acids but adequate in tocopherol. The etiological mechanisms preceding the onset of NMD in the calves are discussed. It is suggested that the myopathy-promoting effect was chiefly associated with the degree of saturation of fatty acids and the tocopherol content of the diet.