The effect of dietary selenium and vitamin A on biochemical parameters and survival of young among white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).

Thirty-two adult female white-tailed deer were assigned to four complete pelleted diets (+/- 45 ppm vitamin E; +/- 0.2 ppm selenium). Selenium and vitamin E concentration in the unsupplemented diet was 0.04 and 5.5 ppm, respectively. Biochemical parameters of the erythrocyte (RBC) glutathione peroxidase system and survival of off-spring to weaning were followed for 2 years. At the end of the second year, 12 male young (3 per treatment) and the remaining adults were killed, and liver and muscle parameters of the glutathione system determined. Plasma selenium (Se) and vitamin E (E) were significantly lower among unsupplemented adults within 6 months of treatment and remained essentially constant from 10 months on. In vitro hemolysis and mortality of young were affected by dietary E but not by Se. Tissue glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) was correlated with tissue Se in all tissues measured (RBC, liver and muscle). Tissue Se, in turn, was related to dietary Se. Thus, dietary Se deficiency (Se = 0.04 ppm) resulted in biochemical deficiency (depressed GSH-Px). This was not reflected in gross lesions among the adults, nor in increased mortality among young.