Ineffectiveness of Factor 3-Active Selenium Compounds in Muscular Dystrophy of Rabbits on Vitamin E-Free Diets

Abstract

Summary Muscular dystrophy developed within 3 weeks in young rabbits fed a basal Vit. E-free diet which contained soybean meal as the protein source. Sodium selenite, and selenocystine, when added to the basal diet as sources of Factor 3-activity, did not influence the course of the disease. Control rabbits fed the basal diet but supplemented with α-tocopheryl acetate grew at normal rate of over 30 g/day and remained in good health. Factor 3 assays in rats, and also activation analysis for selenium, established that an adequate level of Factor 3 was present in the basal soybean meal diet. Under our conditions, muscular dystrophy is due to lack of tocopherol alone. Factor 3-active selenium compounds do not substitute for Vit. E.