[The effect of antepartum doses of selenium-vitamin E combinations on the incidence of puerperal disorders in cattle].

The effect of a single i.m. injection of 0, 5, 25 or 50 mg Se and 60, 300 or 600 mg vitamin E (12 combinations) about ten days before delivery on the incidence of post partum disturbances was investigated using 288 cows with selenium deficiency from six farms. The higher dose of Se, the lower was the frequency of fetal membrane retention (0 mg Se = 23.6%, 5 mg Se = 11.1%, 25 mg Se = 12.5%, 50 mg Se = 6.9%, p < 0.0001). This was independent of vitamin E. A beneficial effect of the higher Se doses together with vitamin E was noted in reduction in incidence of metritis, ovarian dysfunction and cysts. There was no significant difference in conception rate, services per conception or calving interval between the groups.