Effect of vitamin E and selenium supplementation on some immune parameters following vaccination against brucellosis in cattle1

Abstract

Twenty-four 7-mo-old beef heifers (Charolais Simmental cross), weighing 213 kg, were used to determine the effect of vitamin E (VitE) and(or) selenium (Se) supplementation on the humoral response to a standard dose of Brucella abortus strain 19 vaccine and on the levels of naturally occurring immunoglobulins (Ig) to several antigens. The treatments were as follows: Group 1, no supplement; Group 2, supplementation with 6 g of elemental Se; Group 3, supplementation with 1,400 IU/d of VitE; and Group 4, Se and VitE supplements combined. There were no significant differences in anti-B. abortus IgG1, IgG2, or IgM antibody levels due to Se, VitE or Se/VitE treatments; the concentrations of IgA antibody were too low to be measured with the ELISA test used. Statistical analysis revealed that the levels of total and IgM natural antibody to Salmonella typhimurium were higher in Group 3. Perhaps VitE supplementation given in conjunction with B. abortus vaccine enhanced the production of antibody to S. typhimurium in several animals whose humoral system had been activated by previous exposure to this organism.