Effects of water supplementation with selenium and vitamin E on growth performance and blood selenium and serum vitamin E concentrations in weanling pigs

Objective-To determine effects of supplementation of drinking water with selenium and vitamin E on blood selenium and serum vitamin E concentrations, growth performance, and water intake of pigs. Design-Prospective controlled study. Animals-228 weanling pigs. Procedure-In experiments 1 and 2, pigs were given drinking water supplemented with selenium and vitamin E, and blood selenium and serum vitamin E concentrations were measured. In experiment 3, growth performance and water intake were measured in pigs that received supplemented water for 2 or 5 weeks and in control pigs. Results-in experiment 1, blood selenium concentrations were significantly increased after 7 days of supplementation, and serum vitamin E concentrations were significantly increased after 1 and 7 days of supplementation, compared with baseline concentrations. In experiment 2, blood selenium concentrations were not significantly different between treated and control pigs, and serum vitamin E concentrations were significantly increased on day 7. In experiment 3, gain-to-feed ratios were significantly higher for pigs supplemented with selenium and vitamin E for 5 weeks, but other differences were not detected. Clinical Implications-Supplementation of drinking water with selenium and vitamin E may improve the selenium and vitamin E status of weanling pigs by increasing selenium and vitamin E intake.