Myodegeneration associated with selenium-vitamin E deficiency in a pregnant heifer

Abstract

One of group of pregnant Holstein-Friesian heifers became recumbent the day after it was transported approximately 100 km. The heifer died after 10 days of recumbency, in spite of symptomatic treatment, which included an injection of a selenium-vitamin E (Se-E) preparation on day 5. Serum creatine phosphokinase activity was 21,000 IU/L on day 3 and 6,290 IU/L on day 9. Gross and histopathologic findins were characteristic of Se-E deficiency. Hepatic selenium content on day 10 was low (0.13 ppm) in spite of the Se-E injection given earlier.