Chistodoulopoulos G., Roubies N., Karatzias Ch., Papasteriadis A.

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this survey was the study of selenium (Se) and vitamin E (vit.E) concentrations in cattle to be slaughtered in the area of Thessaloniki. For this purpose, research samples of blood and liver were collected from 205 cattle brought to different slaughter-houses of Thessaloniki. Out of the 205 cattle to be slaughtered, 78% presented deficient concentration of Se in liver (0.110-0.600 μg/g D.M.), 17% marginally deficient concentration (0.601-0.900 μg/g D.M.) and only 5% normal concentration (0.901-1.512 μg/g D.M.). Regarding vit. E, only 5% out of the 205 cattle to be slaughtered presented deficient concentration in liver (<5 μg/g WW).  It is concluded from the above that, in Thessaloniki, a significant percentage of cattle run the risk of Se deficiency disease. On the contrary, the case of vit. E deficiency should be regarded as improbable for these animals.