Sulfur-Selenium-Vitamin E Interrelations in Ovine Nutrition

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Abstract
Three experiments were conducted to evaluate interrelationships between S, Se and vitamin E in the nutrition of the ovine. In the initial experiment, a daily intake of 7.62 gm. S as sodium sulfate was found to be readily absorbed and excreted in large quantities (51.4% of ingested S) in the urine. The amount of water excreted via the urine was found to be greatly increased due to sulfate supplementation of the ration. Hence sodium sulfate was considered an excellent source of S as a potential competitor with Se in nutrition of the pregnant ewe. Hematocrits of ewes at 27–38 days prepartum appeared to be greater when ewes were fed a final level of 12.1 gm. S per head daily than when fed 3.0 or 21.3 gm. per head daily. The hematocrits of ewes fed 3.0 or 21.3 gm. S per head daily appeared to be below normal. Serum tocopherol levels were significantly affected by treatment and dietary Se depressed levels in what may have been a sparing action of Se in mobilizing tissue tocopherols. Serum tocopherol levels appeared to be increased as a result of feeding the intermediate level of S (final level, 12.1 gm. per head daily). Administration of vitamin E at 89 days or less of pregnancy appeared to exert a favourable effect on lambing percentage; the intermediate level of S also appeared to exert a favourable effect, but this was primarily a result of the 190% lamb crop that resulted when the ewes also were administered tocopherol. Five ewes fed the intermediate level of S and four fed the high level aborted in late pregnancy. These abortions occurred regardless of vitamin E or Se administration. Pathological changes in tissues of five lambs from ewes fed medium and high levels of sulfur were similar to those associated with WMD. There was no evidence that 0.75% to 1.32% dietary S in rations fed to ewes during late pregnancy were contributory to WMD in lambs born alive and surviving beyond 24 hr. of age. Administration of 1.5 mg. Se to 2- to 4-week old lambs creep fed diets containing less than 0.07 ppm Se and nursing ewes fed rations providing an equally low level of Se did not significantly increase gains over a 6 5-day feeding period. Copyright © 1967. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1967 by American Society of Animal Science