Abstract
Selenium concentrations in liver, kidney, blood and feces were determined to clarify the effect of rations on selenium concentrations in Holstein cattle. Selenium concentrations in liver and kidney were 1.26-1.74ppm and 1.81-2.92ppm respectively in both Holstein newborn and 1 month old calves fed in Kyushu Natl. Agric. Exp. Stn. In mature cows these values were 0.43-1.42ppm and 3.54-6.41ppm. As the results of feeding experiments on different dietary selenium levels such as 0.03-0.05ppm, 0.08-0.11ppm and O.10-0.17ppm respectively, selenium concentrations in liver, blood and feces were clearly affected by dietary selenium level. It was suggested that the cattle fed mainly low selenium content as roughage was liable to suffer from selenium shortage, because selenium concentrations in the body decreased with the decrease in dietary selenium level. It was suggested that there was a possibility that selenium concentration in the body could be estimated by the concentration in blood and feces.
