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44 THE BOVINE PRACTITIONER—VOL. 53, NO. 1
Assessment of selenium supplementaon by systemic
injecon at birth on pre-weaning calf health
Ken E. Leslie,1 MSc, DVM; Brian Nelson,1 MSc; Sandra M. Godden,2 DVM, DVSc; 1 DVM, DVSc;
Trevor J. DeVries,3 MSc, PhD; David L. Renaud,1 DVM, PhD
1 Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1
2 Department of Clinical and Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108
3 Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1
Corresponding author: Dr. Ken E. Leslie, keleslie@uoguelph.ca
Abstract
The objective of this randomized clinical trial was to
evaluate the effect of selenium and vitamin E supplementa-
tion by systemic injection on dairy calf health and growth
during the pre-weaning period. The study was conducted at
39 dairy farms in Ontario, selected through a convenience
sample of farms in close proximity to either Guelph or Kemp-
tville. A total of 835 Holstein heifer calves were enrolled in
this study. At birth, calves were randomly allocated to re-
ceive selenium and vitamin E supplementation by injection
or a placebo solution. At enrollment, producers recorded
time of birth, calving ease, and colostrum feeding status. At
weekly visits to the individual dairy farms, trained techni-
cians collected measurements and samples from enrolled
calves. Blood was collected from calves that were up to 8
d of age to assess the concentration of serum total protein
and selenium. Between 8 and 15 d of age, fecal samples
were collected to identify the presence of rotavirus and
Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum
available lateral immuno-chromatography antigen detection
kit. Each enrolled calf was also weighed and assessed for
differ between treatment groups. The mean average daily
and was not associated with selenium and vitamin E supple-
C. parvum and rotavirus
antigen, respectively. Selenium and vitamin E treatment
had a protective effect against rotavirus infection. However,
there was no effect of experimental treatment on C. parvum
infection status. Reduced odds of treatment for diarrhea was
also seen in the selenium and vitamin E treatment group.
This study suggests that selenium and vitamin E injection
at birth could improve pre-weaning health by reducing
rotavirus infection and diarrhea.
Key words: selenium, vitamin E, calf health
Résumé
L’objectif de cet essai clinique randomisé était d’évaluer
l’effet de l’ajout de sélénium et de vitamine E par injection
systémique sur la santé et la croissance de veaux laitiers
avant sevrage. L’étude a été menée dans 39 fermes laitières
de l’Ontario représentant un échantillon de commodité des
fermes proches de Guelph ou de Kemptville. L’étude incluait
un total de 835 génisses Holstein. À la naissance, les veaux
ont été alloués au hasard dans deux groupes l’un recevant
un ajout de sélénium et de vitamine E par injection (3 mg de
et l’autre une solution placebo. Au recrutement, les produc-
teurs notaient l’heure de la naissance, la facilité du vêlage
et le statut de l’alimentation au colostrum. Lors de visites
hebdomadaires aux différentes fermes laitières, des techni-
ciens formés ont fait les mesures et recueilli les échantillons
des veaux recrutés. Des échantillons de sang ont été prélevés
chez les veaux jusqu’à huit jours suivant la naissance pour
mesurer la concentration sérique des protéines totales et
du sélénium. Entre les jours 8 et 15 suivant la naissance,
des échantillons fécaux ont été recueillis pour déterminer la
présence de rotavirus et de Cryptosporodium parvum (C. par-
vum
latéral par immunochromatographie. Chaque veau recruté
était aussi pesé et recevait un score de santé aux semaines 1,
2 et 7 suivant la naissance. La concentration sérique moyenne
-
cidence de défaut de transfert passif chez les veaux recrutés
de traitement. La moyenne du gain moyen quotidien pen-
n’était pas associé à l’ajout de sélénium et de vitamine E par
PEER REVIEWED
SPRING 2019 45
injection. Parmi les 761 échantillons fécaux recueillis, 272
C. parvum
l’ajout de sélénium et de vitamine E avait un effet protecteur
contre l’infection par le rotavirus. Toutefois, il n’y avait pas
d’effet du traitement expérimental sur le statut d’infection
par C. parvum. Le traitement avec l’ajout de sélénium et de
vitamine E a aussi réduit les chances de traitement pour la
diarrhée. Cette étude suggère que l’injection de sélénium et
de vitamine E à la naissance pourrait améliorer la santé avant
sevrage en réduisant l’infection par le rotavirus et la diarrhée.
Introduction
Selenium content in North American soil is highly
variable. Feeds grown east of the Mississippi River and west
kg dry matter.23 In Ontario, the majority of the dairy indus-
consequence, plants grown under these conditions contain
low amounts of selenium. Although oral supplementation
of dairy cattle with selenium has become a routine practice,
treatment of newborn dairy calves is not widely implemented.
In a study of calf management practices in Ontario, less than
and vitamin E to newborn calves.35
Selenium is an important element for the immune
system and has been shown to impact animal health.27,28 It
activates phagocytosis by neutrophils, increases antibody
production, and enhances lymphocyte proliferation.30,31 Sele-
nium is also well known for its role in the enzyme glutathione
peroxidase, which is an important component of the cellular
antioxidant system.25
compared to other animal species.11
range of conditions, such as increased rates of retained
placenta and intramammary infection, as well as impaired
reproductive performance.8 Despite the importance and em-
phasis placed on selenium supplementation in mature dairy
cattle, selenium concentration in calves has been given little
attention. In calves, selenium concentration is associated
with growth and morbidity. A recent study found
that the injection of a multi-mineral preparation containing
selenium at 3 and 30 days after birth reduced the incidence
of diarrhea, and the combined incidence of pneumonia, otitis,
or both. It is suspected that Ontario dairy producers have
primarily focused on supplementation of cows during their
dry period, and have assumed that calves receive adequate
quantities of selenium from dams in utero, and through
consumption of colostrum and milk. However, Waalderbos
showed that selenium concentrations in Ontario calves were
38 Thus, selenium
concentrations in Ontario dairy calves could be inadequate,
potentially limiting calf health and growth.
The objective of this randomized clinical trial was to
evaluate the effect of selenium and vitamin E supplementa-
tion, by systemic injection, on dairy calf health and growth
during the pre-weaning period. The hypothesis of this experi-
ment was that systemic treatment of newborn dairy calves
with selenium and vitamin E would improve early life health
and growth.
Materials and Methods
This randomized clinical trial was conducted in accor-
dance with the University of Guelph Animal Care Committee
Study Farms
Dairy farms were selected from a convenience sample
of commercial Holstein herds that were within a 2-h radius
or University of Guelph Kemptville Campus (Kemptville,
study, including 20 farms surrounding Kemptville and 19
farms in the Guelph area. Inclusion as a study herd required
that a detailed birth record on each calf was completed, and
records of all occurrences of health problems and treatments
administered up to weaning were kept.
Treatments, Randomization, and Blinding
Calves were randomly assigned to receive a subcutane-
ous injection from a numbered vial containing 1 of 2 treat-
ments: 1 mL injection of either a placebo or an injectable
selenium and vitamin E supplementa approved for use in
These concentrations are slightly higher than other compa-
rable injectable products available in the United States. The
placebo used in this study was created by adding a coloring
agent to sterile water to create a visually similar solution to
the Se-vitamin E solution.
Treatment allocation was randomized using a random
number generator. Three separate randomized blocks of
10 were created with an equal number of treatments and
controls. In total, 1200 vials were created numbering “0001”
to “1200”, with the randomization repeating every 30 vials.
Treatment vials were distributed to farms in multiples of 10
to ensure that an equal number of treated and control calves
were enrolled on each farm.
Throughout the trial, producers administrating the
experimental solutions, assessors of the outcomes, and
persons responsible for data analysis were blinded to the
treatment allocation.
Calf Enrollment and Sampling
Holstein heifer calves born between May 1 and Sep-
tember 1, 2009 were enrolled in this study. At the time of
discovery or delivery of a newborn calf prior to colostrum
46 THE BOVINE PRACTITIONER—VOL. 53, NO. 1
feeding, producers on each farm were instructed to admin-
ister the contents of a numbered treatment vial to study
calves via subcutaneous injection. Following the injection of
a newborn calf, producers completed a birth record docu-
menting information about the birth event, including: date,
time, calving ease, quantity, and source of colostrum fed to
each calf, and the vial number assigned. Rather than an exact
time, birth time was recorded by producers as being within
a time of day interval.
On a regular weekly interval, trained technicians vis-
ited each farm to assess newly enrolled calves, as well as
to collect measurements, samples, and recorded data from
previously enrolled animals. Blood was collected from each
calf up to 8 d of age that had not been sampled the previous
week. Blood was collected by jugular venipuncture using a
20-gauge, 1-inch hypodermic needle,b into a 10-mL sterile
glass vacuum tube without anticoagulant.c Following blood
collection on-farm, blood was transported on ice to the labo-
ratory, where it was allowed to clot and was centrifuged at
970 × g
using a digital refractometer.d
a STP
can be reliably assessed in calves from 1 to 9 days of age.
A second aliquot of serum was frozen and submitted to
the University of Guelph Animal Health Laboratory (Guelph,
coupled plasma mass spectrometry.16
Each calf was weighed and assessed for diarrhea dur-
at approximately 7 weeks of age. Calf weight was recorded
using a heart girth weight tape for Holstein calves.e Based on
Fecal consistency was scored on a scale of 0 to 3, where fe-
cal score 0 = normal consistency; 1 = semi-formed or pasty;
2 = loose feces; 3 = watery feces.20 A fresh fecal sample was
collected directly from each calf between 8 to 15 d of age,
approximately 100 samples. Each fecal sample was analyzed
for the presence of Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum
rotavirus antigen using a commercially available lateral im-
munochromatography antigen detection kit.f
During the course of the study, all treatment events
on study calves up to weaning were recorded by producers.
to an animal in response to a health event during the study
period. Treatments included, but were not restricted to,
antibiotics and other veterinary drugs, but excluded vacci-
nations. Administration of electrolytes and antibiotic tablets
for neonatal calf diarrhea were considered treatments. All
treatment events were recorded on treatment record sheets
supplied to each farm at the start of the study. On each treat-
ment record, date and duration of treatment, type of treat-
ment, and reason for treatment were recorded. The number
of treatment records and completeness of each individual
record were somewhat variable by farm. Therefore, only the
Estimation of Sample Size
Sample size was calculated using ADG and C. parvum
infection as outcomes of interest. It was assumed that ADG in
an injection of selenium and vitamin E would increase ADG
command in Stata 10g generated sample size estimates of 393
animals per group. Sample size was also estimated using C.
parvum infection as an outcome. It was assumed that mean
within-herd prevalence of C. parvum
was determined that 376 calves per group would be required.
Statistical Analysis
h Access 2007
and checked for entry errors using SAS 9.1.3i software. If
abnormal or missing values were found, data were checked
against the original hard copy records. Descriptive statistics
were generated for all explanatory variables in the dataset.
All variables hypothesized to be related to the outcome
of interest were screened for unconditional associations with
the outcome variable in univariate analysis, while controlling
at the P -
linearity was assessed by calculating Pearson correlation
a separate model was constructed including each variable.
The variable that produced the model with the lowest AIC
variables was assessed visually. Confounding was assessed
variables in the multivariable model. Variables were retained
in the model, if their removal from the model resulted in a
variables in the model were checked for interaction by inclu-
sion of biologically appropriate two-way interaction terms,
interactions were tested in a multivariable model. Statisti-
P
P0.05. In all models, injection
with selenium and vitamin E at birth was included as a vari-
the predictor of interest.
SPRING 2019 47
For models created using the MIXED procedure in SAS,
heteroscedasticity and normality visually. If these criteria
were not met, all appropriate transformations of the outcome
were assessed, and the transformation that most corrected
heteroscedasticity and normality was selected.
Mixed logistic models were created to determine the
were recorded at the time of fecal collection from the calf (8
fecal consistency at this sampling time.
Mixed linear models were constructed to evaluate
vitamin E treatment at birth and ADG. In both models, farm
for some of the variability in regional soil selenium concen-
to correct for the normality of the residuals, serum selenium
was log transformed.
Generalized linear mixed models were constructed to
determine associations between selenium and vitamin E in-
C. parvum
any reason, neonatal calf diarrhea, and respiratory disease. In
these models, farm of origin was included as a random effect.
Results
Animal Enrollment and Calving Environment
In total, 835 Holstein heifer calves were enrolled in this
study between May 1 and September 1, 2009 with no differ-
ence being found with respect to number of calves enrolled
into each treatment group. Animal enrollment by farm was
highly variable, with a mean of 21 animals enrolled per farm.
Calves were considered to be enrolled in the study at the time
of injection by producer, regardless of whether or not they
A descriptive summary of continuous and categorical
variables related to birth events and colostrum feeding, ac-
cording to treatment group, are presented in Tables 1 and
2, respectively. There were no differences between the 2
treatment groups with respect to location of birth, calving
in the maternity pens, between 1000 to 1600 h and having
an unobserved calving.
Colostrum Feeding Practices
There were no differences between the 2 treatment
groups with respect to colostrum management practices
were fed using a bucket feeder, either alone or in combina-
colostrum by suckling the dam. The majority of calves on the
-
ing colostrum either from their dam or pooled colostrum,
Passive Transfer of Immunity
The average STP was 5.7 for calves in the selenium
Table 1. Descripve summary of connuous intervening and outcome
variables recorded according to treatment group (Mean)(SD)(Range).
Item Dystosel* Placebo** P-value
Calves enrolled 426 409
Age at visit 1 day (d)
Age at visit 2 d
Age at visit 3 d
4.4 (1.99)
(0 – 8)
11.4 (1.99)
(8 – 15)
50.9 (5.06)
(36 – 63)
4.5 (2.01)
(0 – 8)
11.5 (2.02)
(7 – 16)
51.0 (5.22)
(35 – 71)
0.70
0.54
0.79
Birth weight (lb) 94.8 (9.74)
(64 – 135)
94.3 (8.85)
(78 – 123)
0.38
Volume of colostrum
fed (L)
Minimum me to
colostrum (h)
Maximum me to
colostrum (h)
5.8 (1.60)
(1 – 12)
1.7 (3.00)
(0 – 17.7)
6.5 (3.98)
(0.5 – 23.7)
5.7 (1.48)
(0 – 12)
1.7 (3.10)
(0 – 16.0)
6.4 (3.98)
(0.0 – 22.0)
0.92
0.96
0.92
Minimum me with
dam (h)
Maximum me with
dam (h)
Serum total protein
(g/dL)
Serum selenium (ug/mL)
1.7 (3.34)
(0.0 – 17.8)
6.1 (4.50)
(0.0 – 23.8)
5.7 (0.76)
(3.3 – 8.1)
0.077 (0.021)
(0.04 – 0.17)
1.6 (3.27)
(0.0 – 17.5)
6.0 (4.37)
(0.0 – 23.5)
5.8 (0.72)
(4.1 – 8.7)
0.057 (0.013)
(0.028 – 0.12)
0.68
0.75
0.50
<0.001
*Dystosel, Zoes Canada. Injectable supplement containing 3 mg
sodium selenite and 136 IU dl-α-tocophenol/mL
**Sterile water with coloring added to mimic Dystosel
48 THE BOVINE PRACTITIONER—VOL. 53, NO. 1
treatment groups. Likewise, the incidence of FPT was not
different between treatment groups. The incidence of FPT
among calves receiving the selenium and vitamin E treatment
receiving the placebo. A summary of the categorical data for
passive transfer of immunoglobulins of the study calves by
experimental treatment group is presented in Tables 2 and 3.
was not associated with passive transfer in the univariable
model (P
P
Description of Serum Selenium Concentration
Serum samples were submitted for analysis for 803
calves enrolled on the study. On average, the serum selenium
concentration in selenium and vitamin E-treated calves was
(P
and vitamin E-treated calves and control calves, respectively
farm variation in selenium concentrations. Selenium and
Table 2. Descripve summary of categorical variables related to birth
events and colostrum feeding according to treatment group
Prevalence
Item Dystosel* (%) Placebo** (%)
Birth locaon
Free stall
Maternity pen
Tie stall
Other
11.0
82.1
4.8
2.1
12.7
81.3
2.0
4.0
Calving assistance
Easy pull
Hard pull
Malpresentaon
Observed but unassisted
Surgery
Unobserved
29.4
4.5
1.0
14.0
0.7
50.4
24.1
4.2
1.5
15.1
0.3
54.8
Number of feedings in rst 24 h
0
1
2
3+
0.0
31.7
47.3
21.0
0.3
30.7
50.1
17.9
Source of colostrum
Dam
Pooled
Replacement
Combinaon
62.7
32.3
3.4
1.6
64.2
32.6
2.7
0.5
Type of colostrum
Fresh
Frozen
Pasteurized
Combinaon
67.0
17.4
15.1
0.8
68.6
14.9
16.0
0.5
* Dystosel, Zoes Canada. Injectable supplement containing 3 mg
sodium selenite and 136 IU dl-α-tocophenol/mL
** Sterile water with coloring added to mimic Dystosel
Table 3. Descripve summary of dichotomous outcomes according to
treatment group.
Prevalence
Item Dystosel* Placebo**
Passive transfer
>5.2 g/dL
<5.2 g/dL
Fecal score (8-15 days of age)
3
<3
78.1% (324/415)
21.9% (91/415)
14.5% (60/413)
85.5% (353/413)
80.1% (314/392)
19.9% (78/392)
17.5% (68/389)
82.5% (321/389)
Rotavirus test result
Negave
Posive
86.8% (334/385)
13.2% (51/385)
82.2% (309/376)
17.8% (67/376)
C. parvum test result
Negave
Posive
66.0% (254/385)
34.0% (131/385)
62.5% (235/376)
37.5% (141/376)
Treatment during study
(any reason)
No treatment
Treatment
79.1% (337/426)
20.9% (89/426)
76.5 (313/409)
23.5% (96/409)
Treatment for diarrhea
No treatment
Treatment
89.2% (380/426)
10.8% (46/426)
85.6% (350/409)
14.4% (59/409)
* Dystosel, Zoes Canada. Injectable supplement containing 3 mg
sodium selenite and 136 IU dl-α-tocophenol/mL
**Sterile water with coloring added to mimic Dystosel
Table 4. Final mixed logisc model for successful passive transfer (STP
> 5.2 g/dL) aer controlling for the random eect of farm (n=762).
Variable Coecient (SE*)
OR
(95% CI**) P-value
Treatment group
Placebo 0.12 (0.19) 1.12
(0.78 – 1.63)
0.54
Selenium and
vitamin E
Ref†
Age at sampling
For every 1 day
increase in age at
sampling
-0.14 (0.05) 0.87
(0.83 – 0.91)
<0.01
Volume of colostrum
For every 1 L
increase in volume
of colostrum fed
0.27 (0.08) 1.31
(1.21 – 1.42)
<0.01
*Standard error
**95% condence interval
†Referent category
SPRING 2019 49
vitamin E treatment (P
(P
Calf Growth during the Study Period
Calf weight was obtained at the time of enrollment, and
at the end of the study period for all calves enrolled on the
study. These weights were used to calculate ADG during the
was not different between treatment groups. The mean ADG
Average daily gain during the pre-weaning period
was not associated with selenium and vitamin E injection
(P -
cluded birth weight, success of passive transfer, and whether
or not a calf was treated for illness during the pre-weaning
period. Calves that experienced FPT on average gained 0.11
P
model for ADG is presented in Table 6.
Lateral Immunochromatography Fecal Antigen Detection Test
Results and Scouring
In total, fecal samples were collected from 761 Holstein
heifer calves on 38 dairy farms. Total animals sampled from
respectively, tested positive for C. parvum antigen using the
lateral immunochromatography antigen detection kit (Table
C. parvum tests ranged
C. parvum infection (OR =
P
3 and positive test for rotavirus antigen. Calves with a fecal
score of 3 were more likely to test positive for C. parvum
P
protective effect against C. parvum infection. Calves testing
negative for rotavirus were more likely to test positive for C.
parvum infection than calves testing positive for rotavirus
P
included in the univariable model in 3 separate levels (Fecal
score = 3 vs < 3, Fecal score 2 vs < 2, Fecal score
Because these variables were similar, and contained the same
since it produced the model with the smallest pseudo-AIC.
Fecal samples were also analyzed for presence of rota-
virus antigen using the same lateral immunochromatography
antigen detection kit used for C. parvum.
placebo calves, respectively, had positive tests for rotavi-
Table 6. Final mixed linear model for average daily gain (kg/day) during
the enre study period, controlling for the random eects of farm
(n=761).
Variable Coecient (SE*) P
Treatment group:
Placebo 0.01 (0.01) 0.36
Selenium and
vitamin E
Ref.**
Birth weight:
For every 1 lb increase in
birth weight
-0.002 (0.001) 0.01
Passive transfer
< 5.2 g/dL -0.05 (0.02) 0.01
> 5.2 g/dL Ref2
Treatment (any)
Not treated 0.06 (0.02) <0.01
Treated Ref**
*Standard Error
**Referent category
Table 5. Final mixed linear model for log transformed serum selenium
concentraons (μg/mL) in calves 1 to 8 d of age, aer controlling for
the random eects of farm and region (n=725).
Variable Coecient (SE*) P
Treatment group
Placebo -0.29 (0.02) <0.01
Selenium and
vitamin E
Ref**
Age at sampling:
For every 1 day increase in
age at sampling
-0.03 (0.004) <0.01
*Standard Error
**Referent category
Figure 1. Descripve summary of serum selenium levels in calves that
were supplemented with selenium (Dystosel) and those that were not
supplemented (Placebo).
Placebo Dystosel
0.12
0.1
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0
Serum selenium (ug/mL)
50 THE BOVINE PRACTITIONER—VOL. 53, NO. 1
infection is presented in Table 7. Selenium and vitamin E
treatment had a protective effect against rotavirus infection
(PC. parvum infection and fecal
score at time of sampling. Interestingly, calves testing nega-
tive for C. parvum infection were more likely to test positive
for rotavirus compared to calves that tested positive for C.
parvum (P
test results.
Morbidity and Mortality
Overall, the pre-weaning mortality rate in this study
lost to follow-up. When calves lost to follow-up were ex-
cluded from mortality analysis, there was no difference in calf
mortality rates between the treatment groups (Chi-square
P
that received placebo injection.
E group received an individual treatment, whereas, 96 calves
A model was constructed to determine the associations
between predictor variables and the probability of a calf
receiving any treatment during the pre-weaning period. Se-
lenium treatment, passive transfer status, and presence of C.
parvum infection were offered to the multivariable model. In
C. parvum had
reduced odds of being treated during the pre-weaning period,
P
P
tended toward association with pre-weaning treatment (OR
P
Of the calves enrolled in the selenium and vitamin E
for diarrhea. A model was constructed to determine the as-
sociations between selenium and vitamin E injection and
probability of being treated for diarrhea. Selenium treatment,
passive transfer status, and presence of C. parvum infection
selenium and vitamin E treatment was retained with the odds
of being treated for diarrhea being greater in control calves
P
calves injected with selenium and vitamin E.
disease during the study period. A third model was con-
structed to determine the association between selenium and
vitamin E injection at birth and treatment for respiratory
disease during the pre-weaning period. Similar to the model
for treatment for any reason, none of the predictor variables
collected were associated with treatment for respiratory
disease. In univariable analysis, selenium and vitamin E
treatment was not associated with treatment for respiratory
disease (P
Associations between Fecal Score and Selenium Treatment
Of the calves that received selenium and vitamin E
the logistic model for predicting fecal score 3, variables that
sampling (PP C.
Table 7. Final mixed logistic model for shedding rotavirus after
controlling for the random eect of farm (n=755).
Variable Coecient (SE*) OR (95% CI**) P
Treatment group:
Placebo 0.41 (0.21) 1.50 (0.99 – 2.26) 0.05
Selenium and
vitamin E
Ref†
C. parvum
Negave 0.83 (0.25) 2.29 (1.42 – 3.72) <0.01
Posive Ref†
Fecal score:
< 3 -0.62 (0.27) 0.54 (0.32 – 0.91) 0.02
3 Ref†
*Standard Error
**95% Condence Interval
†Referent category
Table 8. Final mixed logisc model for probability of a calf having a
fecal score of 3 at the me of fecal sampling, aer controlling for the
random eect of farm (n=802).
Variable Coecient SE*) OR (95% CI**) P
Treatment group:
Placebo 0.23 (0.20) 1.50 (0.84 – 1.87) 0.26
Selenium and
vitamin E Ref†
Age at sampling:
For every 1 day
increase in age at
sampling
-0.12 (0.05) 0.89 (0.80 - 0.98) 0.02
C. parvum
Negave -0.59 (0.26) 0.55 (0.33 – 0.92) 0.02
Posive Ref†
Fecal score:
< 3 -0.96 (0.21) 0.38 (0.25 – 0.57) <0.01
3 Ref†
*Standard Error
**95% Condence Interval
†Referent category
SPRING 2019 51
parvum test results (P
P
-
P
Calves that tested positive for either rotavirus or C. parvum
had increased odds of having a fecal score of 3 compared to
calves testing negative (rotavirus OR = 1.8, C. parvum OR =
was not associated with calves having a fecal score of 2 or
greater at the time of sampling (P-
ated with fecal score of 2 or greater at the time of sampling
were weight of the calf (PP
and C. parvum (OR = 3.3; P
Discussion
There has been a long-standing interest in selenium
concentrations in dairy cattle. Until recently, the research
focus in this area has been primarily on the effects of sele-
nium supplementation on reproduction and mammary gland
health in lactating dairy cattle, and on the chemical forms of
selenium available for supplementation. Although numerous
mature cow supplementation studies have included blood
sampling of calves to determine associations between sele-
nium status of the dam and calf, these studies did not char-
acterize the impact of selenium concentration on neonatal
calf health and growth. In this study, it was demonstrated that
selenium and vitamin E supplementation at birth can have a
positive impact on pre-weaning health, with reduced odds of
the supplemented calf being treated for diarrhea and testing
positive for rotavirus infection. Thus, improving selenium
status whether through injection of selenium or through
improving selenium status of dams could lead to improved
preweaning health in calves.
There are some limitations to consider in this study.
The amount of selenium being supplemented to the mature
dry cow group and the selenium levels of the cows were not
controlled for in the analysis. Bias could have been introduced
as selenium concentration in beef cows has been shown to be
correlated with selenium concentration in calves. However,
as the calves were randomly assigned within farms, these
biases would have been distributed throughout both treat-
ment groups, minimizing its effect. The effect of time since
injection and age at sampling on selenium concentrations
were completely confounded, and it could not be determined
what impacted selenium status. Thus, additional research is
required to determine whether selenium declines due to age,
time from selenium supplementation, or both. An additional
limitation was the inability to evaluate the effect of vitamin E
supplementation. Although the amount of vitamin E that was
supplemented was low, vitamin E could have also contributed
to the effect that was found within this study.
In this study, selenium determination was performed on
serum collected from calves aged 1 to 8 d. While some have
suggested that whole blood selenium might be preferred to
measure selenium concentration,18 others have demonstrated
that serum selenium is more accurate than whole blood in
measuring the short-term changes in selenium status.7 As
we were interested in evaluating the effect of a selenium
injection in a short period and due to ease of collection, a
serum sample was used in this study. University of Guelph
Animal Health Laboratory uses a reference interval of 0.08 to
regardless of age. However, when this reference interval is
applied to calves sampled on this study, very few calves fell
of supplemented calves falling below the reference interval.
Stowe and Herdt suggested for calves aged 1 to 9 d old, the
expected serum selenium concentration was found to range
-
ence interval.29
inability for the young calves sampled in this study to meet a
higher laboratory reference interval, even after treatment, it
is reasonable to question whether or not this higher interval
requirements in neonatal calves.
rates reported in North American dairy herds. Kamada et
al and Hall et al demonstrated an effect of selenium addition
to colostrum on passive transfer of immunoglobulin. How-
ever, in the current study, no association was found between
after controlled analysis. It is possible that the oral route of
selenium supplementation is more effective for increasing
immunoglobulin absorption.
Selenium treatment at birth had no effect on ADG over
selenium supplementation on weight gain in calves with some
studies demonstrating a positive effect and others that
have resulted in no effect.15,17,22,33-
ence growth through its effects on thyroid hormone metabo-
lism. However, because of the known biological mechanism
the lack of an effect on ADG in the current study is likely
due to basal selenium concentrations that are adequate for
normal Type 1 iodothyronine 5’-deiodinase function.2 Thus,
supplementation likely had no effect on Type 1 iodothyronine
5’-deiodinase function.
C. parvum is a major pathogen involved in neonatal
diarrhea in Ontario dairy calves. Trotz-Williams et al on dairy
farms37 and Spinato et al during necropsy,28 detected C. par-
vum
that the prevalence of C. parvum is likely quite high in Ontario
dairy calves. In the current study, the prevalence of C. parvum
C.
52 THE BOVINE PRACTITIONER—VOL. 53, NO. 1
parvum and its association with diarrhea in this study, there
was no association detected between selenium and vitamin
E treatment and C. parvum infection.
Rotavirus is also another major causative agent of
neonatal calf diarrhea. The prevalence of rotavirus can also
3
dairy calves in California,6
Australia13 had rotavirus detected in feces. In the current
of rotavirus isolated in calf feces was associated with a fecal
score of 3. Co-infection between rotavirus and C. parvum had
a synergistic action on the incidence of diarrhea, which is
similar to previous reports.3 Calves receiving selenium and
vitamin E at birth were less likely to have a positive fecal test
for rotavirus. Selenium supplementation is known to increase
peroxidase activity. Thus, neutrophils in selenium and
vitamin E-supplemented calves may have an increased ability
to phagocytose and kill rotavirus upon exposure, preventing
the virus from establishing infection and replicating in the
small intestine.
Selenium and vitamin E treatment reduced the prob-
ability of a calf being treated for diarrhea during the study
period. It is likely that selenium injection had a role in disease
prevention through an increase in the supplemented calves’
innate immune response.32 Associations between selenium
and vitamin E injection at birth and probability of treatment
for diarrhea have also been previously reported. In a very
recent study of the associations between management prac-
tices and within-pen prevalence of calf diarrhea and respira-
tory disease on dairy farms using automated milk feeders,
there was a lower within-pen prevalence of diarrhea when
selenium and vitamin E were administered at birth.21 In an-
other observational project involving surveillance of neonatal
calf disease in Ontario, an excessive incidence of muscular
recently reported.9 However, in the current experiment, when
all 185 treatment events were considered together, selenium
and vitamin E injection at birth was not associated with the
probability of a treatment event during the pre-weaning
period. These results contrast several observational studies
which reported associations between selenium and vitamin E
injection at birth, and the probability of being treated during
the pre-weaning period.
Conclusions
In this study, a single injection of selenium and vitamin
E at birth was found to increase serum selenium concentra-
tions in calves sampled between 1 and 8 d of age. Serum
selenium concentrations were highly variable, both between
farms and within farm. Selenium and vitamin E injection at
birth was found to reduce the number of calves treated for
diarrhea over the pre-weaning period, and the number of
calves that tested positive for rotavirus between 8 and 15
d of age. No association was found between selenium and
vitamin E treatment and passive transfer, ADG, C. parvum
infection, and the probability of treatment for illness during
soil, injectable supplementation with selenium and vitamin E
at birth has considerable potential as a cost-effective method
to improve the health status of calves prior to weaning.
Endnotes
a Dystosel, Zoetis, CA
b BD Vacutainer Precision Glide, Becton Dickinson and Co.,
Franklin Lakes, NJ
c BD Vacutainer, Becton Dickinson and Co.
d
e Nasco, Modesto, CA
f
g Stata Corporation, College Station, TX
h Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA
i SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC
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