The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of maternal
intramuscular administration of selenium (Se) and vitamin E (Vit.E) on transfer of Se
and immunoglobulins from buffalo cows to their offspring. Fourteen dried-off buffalo
cows (60 days prepartum) were used. They were randomly assigned into two
experimental groups. The first group (Control, n=6) was not treated and the second
group (Treated, n=8) was injected intramuscularly with 0.05 mg of Se (as sodium
selenite) plus 4.5 mg of Vit.E/kg BW/week. All cows were fed a diet composed of 50%
concentrate mixture, 25% berseem hay and 25% rice straw as 2.5 kg DM/100 kg BW.
Plasma Se concentration of treated cows were significantly higher than control (71.7
VS. 52.6 ng/ml, P<0.01). Plasma Se concentration of calves from cows that injected
with Se were r.igher (P from treated cows Nere significantly (P<0.01) higher than untreated cows. Average
daily gain of buffalo calves was improved (P<0.05) significantly by Se+E injection of
their dams. Plasma immunoglobulin (lg)G, IgM and IgA concentration were
significantly (P<0.01) higher in treated cows and their newborn calves compared to
untreated cows and their offspring. However, colostral IgG, IgM and IgA were not
affected signJicantly by Se+E injection. Neither blood measurements nor chemical
composition of colostrum was affected by Se+E injection.