Effect of Vitamin E and selenium supplementation on concentrations of plasma cortisol and erythrocyte lipid peroxides and the incidence of retained fetal membranes in crossbred dairy cattle

Abstract The objectives were to: (i) determine the effect of prepartum supplementation of Vitamin E (Vit E) and selenium (Se) on plasma cortisol, erythrocyte peroxidation and the incidence of retained fetal membranes (RFM); (ii) estimate myeloperoxidase (MPO), lysozyme, elastase, and acid phosphatase (ACP) enzyme activities in the cotyledons of cows with or without RFM; and (iii) determine the molecular weight (SDS-PAGE) of proteins present in the cotyledons of cows with or without RFM. Fifty dairy (Friesian × Sahiwal) cows were equally allocated to one of two treatments, given as an im injection 3 week before calving: 1100 IU of DL α-tocopherol acetate (Vit E) and 30 mg of sodium selenite (Se), or saline (control). Concentrations of plasma cortisol (20 cows) were determined on days 21, 7, 3, 2, 1, and 0 prepartum, and erythrocyte lipid peroxide (all cows) was determined on days 21 and 7 prepartum. Treatment with Vit E and Se did not affect ( P  = 0.23) the incidence of RFM (12% versus 0%, respectively) but decreased ( P P P n  = 8) had lower ( P P n  = 6). A band at