[The selenium content in the blood of newborn sheep and goats--equally contributing to the effect of supplemental oral selenium as a prophylaxis].

The article is based on the analysis of selenium concentration in blood plasma of 9 goats and their kids (n = 17), from two different places, as well as of 12 sheep and their lambs (n = 19) from several flocks. The selenium concentration was measured using ASS. In addition, the activity of CK was determined enzymatically. There was a low plasma selenium level in lambs and goat kids immediately post-natal depending on the selenium state of the mothers. After application of vitamin E and selenium to a group of lambs their selenium levels increased remarkably over 24 hours. Ten days later the average selenium concentration in the plasma of those animals that had been treated was three times as high as that of the control group. It was shown that the absorption of vitamin E and selenium when given orally to newborn lambs is comparable with the absorption after parenteral application, and that a significant increase of the plasma selenium level is attainable by oral application.