The effect of selenium on reproduction of black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) in Shasta County California

Miscellaneous · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:7189878

Flueck, W T

This study was to determine if nutritional inadequacy of selenium may be responsible for a declining reproductive rate of a migratory herd of black-tailed deer. Selenium is an essential trace mineral for mammalian herbivores. Deficiency affects primarily neonates resulting in increased mortality rates. Shasta County, California is indigenously low in selenium due to soil characteristics. Local livestock enterprises have experienced reproductive problems, which were responsive to selenium treatment. The low recruitment rate in the deer herd suggested a physiological link between low selenium status and reproductive problems, and an experimental trial was initiated. Free ranging adult females were supplemented with selenium rumen pellets and marked with radio transmitters. From 1985 to 1987, the selenium dose was doubled as compared to 1984. It was established that evaluation of selenium status by determining whole blood selenium levels adequately describes the major bioactive form of selenium, glutathione peroxidase. To evaluate the experimental trial, the pre-weaning survival rate of progeny of supplemented females was compared with the rate in the untreated herd.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Davis, CA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7189878
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
DEER
REPRODUCTION
SELENIUM
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
AGE DEPENDENCE
CALIFORNIA
METABOLISM
NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY
PEROXIDASES
ANIMALS
ELEMENTS
ENZYMES
FEDERAL REGION IX
MAMMALS
NORTH AMERICA
OXIDOREDUCTASES
RUMINANTS
SEMIMETALS
USA
VERTEBRATES
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology