Fate of a Physiological Dose of Selenate in the Lactating Ewe: Effect of Sulfate

Abstract

Lactating ewes given a single physiological dose of 75selenium (SeO₄) by rumen puncture excreted approximately 69% of the dose in the feces in 7 days; the most rapid fecal excretion occurred during the second day after dosing. Less than 5.0% of the dose appeared in the urine, and the largest amount was excreted during the second day after administration. The amount of labeled selenium in both blood and milk gradually increased until 68 hr. after dosing and then declined slightly; the concentration in whole blood was about four times that in the milk. Tissues with high activity 7 days after dosing included the kidney, small intestine, pancreas, liver and spleen. Skeletal muscle and fat had very low activity. With only a few exceptions supplementary sulfate (0.5% S) had no significant effect on the fate of selenate in the lactating ewe. Copyright © 1966. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1966 by American Society of Animal Science