Vitamin E and Selenium for Reproduction of the Dairy Cow

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Abstract
Se injections and oral vitamin E supplementation prepartum were related to incidence of retained placenta, metritis, and cystic ovaries in a 2 .times. 2 factorial experiment. Groups were: Se and vitamin E; vitamin E; Se; and control. Incidence of retained placenta was 17.5% in cows of groups 2, 3 and 4; it was reduced to 0% in cows receiving both Se and vitamin E. Incidence of metritis was 60% for cows injected with Se and 84% for those not receiving Se. Cystic ovaries were diagnosed in 19% of cows injected with Se, and in 47% of cows not treated with Se. Supplementation of vitamin E was required in addition to Se for prevention of retained placenta of cows fed stored ensiled forage, and prepartum Se injections were effective for reducing the incidence of metritis and cystic ovaries during the early postpartum period.