Vitamin E and selenium concentrations in livers of pigs diagnosed with mulberry heart disease

During a 2-year period from January 1, 1999, to December 31, 2000, 77 diagnoses of mulberry heart disease (MHD) were documented at the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Mean (SD) liver vitamin E concentrations were lower (P<0.05) in pigs with MHD (3.12±1.12 ppm, wet weight) than in pigs that died of causes other than MHD (4.80±3.2 ppm, wet weight). The majority of the pigs affected with MHD ranged in age from 3 to 7 weeks. Statistical influence of age was found on the concentration of vitamin E (P<0.01) but not on concentration of selenium in liver in pigs with MHD. Concentrations of vitamin E below 2 ppm were considered deficient. Hepatic vitamin E concentrations below 2 ppm were measured in 25% of the pigs with gross and microscopic lesions of MHD. In contrast, liver selenium concentrations were adequate in all pigs.