Effect of selenium and vitamin E supplementation on erythropoiesis in young goats

Selenium is one of the most commonly supplemented microelements in ruminants because deficiency of this trace element is a global problem that can lead to several diseases, especially in young animals during the neonatal period. The aim of this study was to assess the activity of the hematopoietic process based on cytological evaluation of caprine bone marrow smears in goats supplemented with selenium and vitamin E during the neonatal period. Twelve clinically healthy goats at the age of 2 days participated in the study. They were divided into two equal groups (n=6). The goats from the experimental group received a single dose of Se and vitamin E on the second day of life. Bone marrow was collected 2 times, stained with the MGG method, and subjected to cytological evaluation. Peripheral blood was sampled 3 times and peripheral blood smears were analyzed. The bone marrow cells in the group receiving the supplement absorbed dyes faster and more intensively than the same cells in the control animals. The number of erythroblasts was higher in goats from the experimental group than in the control group, which indicated the intensification of erythropoiesis in animals supplemented with selenium and vitamin E. The results of morphological tests clearly indicated an increase in the number of erythrocytes and a higher hemoglobin concentration in the group receiving selenium and vitamin E. Selenium and vitamin E supplementation has a positive impact on the erythropoiesis in bone marrow and can prevent neonatal anemia in goats.