Comparative effects of nano-selenium and sodium selenite supplementations on fertility in aged broiler breeder males

The effect of hydroxy-selenomethionine on the productive and reproductive performance of old broiler breeders

BACKGROUND

Selenium (Se) is a rare essential element that plays a vital role in the health and performance of animals. By interfering in the production of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase, thioredoxin reductase and methionine sulfoxide, Se plays a role in reducing the effects of oxidative stress and animal performance.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the effect of hydroxy-selenomethionine (OH-SeMet) in the diet of broiler breeder and old broiler breeder roosters on productive performance, reproduction and sperm quality parameters.

METHODS

For this purpose, 260 broiler breeders of the Ross 308 strain were used in a completely randomized design with four treatments and five replications (13 hens and one rooster in each replication). Experimental treatments included: (1) a basal diet without OH-SeMet (T1:control), (2) a broiler breeder diet without OH-SeMet and a rooster diet containing 0.1 mg/kg OH-SeMet (T2), (3) broiler breeder diet containing 0.1 mg/kg OH-SeMet and rooster diet without OH-SeMet (T3) and (4) broiler breeder and rooster diet contained 0.1 mg/kg OH-SeMet (T4).

RESULTS

The results showed that T3 and T4 treatments improved egg production, egg weight, egg mass and feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the control treatment (p < 0.05). The fertility and hatchability percentages of T4 and T2 treatments increased compared to T1 and T3 treatments (p < 0.05). The rate of embryonic losses in T1 was higher than in other treatments. However, grade one chickens were higher in T4 than in other treatments (p < 0.05). Total motility and viability of sperms were significantly higher in T2 and T4 treatments than in T1 and T3 treatments. The sperm abnormality percentage and sperm MDA concentration decreased in T2 and T4 treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, using OH-SeMet may be a practical approach to help old broiler breeders' production and reproduction performance.

Contribution of nanotechnology to greater efficiency in animal nutrition and production

Feed costs present a major burden in animal production for human consumption, representing a key opportunity for cost reduction and profit improvement. Nanotechnology offers potential to increase productivity by creating higher-quality and safer products. The feed sector has benefited from the use of nanosystems to improve the stability and bioavailability of feed ingredients. The development of nanotechnology products for feed must consider the challenges raised by biological barriers as well as regulatory requirements. While some nanotechnology-based products are already commercially available for animal production, the exponential growth and application of these products requires further research ensuring their safety and the establishment of comprehensive legislative frameworks and regulatory guidelines. Thus, this article provides an overview of the current state of the art regarding nanotechnology solutions applied in feed, as well as the risks and opportunities aimed to help researchers and livestock producers.

Sex-specific element accumulation in honey bees (Apis mellifera)

Honey bees are social insects that show division of labor and sexual dimorphism. Female honey bees differentiate in two different castes, queens or worker bees, while males are called drones. Worker bees have different tasks in the hive including collection of food, its processing, caring for brood, protecting the hive, or producing wax. The drones' only role is to mate with a virgin queen. Many studies have dealt with differences in physiology, behavior, and morphology of workers and drones. This is the first study that demonstrates differences in element accumulation and composition between workers and drones honey bees. Using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, we found that worker honey bees have higher concentrations of most elements analyzed. Drones had higher concentrations of elements essential to bees, Na, P, S, Zn, Cu, and especially Se (2.2 × higher), which is known to be important for sperm quality and fertility in many animals. Until now higher Se content was not observed in male insects. These differences can be attributed to different environmental exposure, reproductive role of drones, but mostly to the food workers and drones consume. Worker bees feed on bee bread, which is rich in minerals. Drones are fed food pre-processed by worker bees.

Dietary supplementation of nano-selenium improves reproductive performance, sexual behavior and deposition of selenium in the testis and ovary of Japanese quail

Objective

Selenium (Se), as the form of selenite, is commonly supplemented in poultry diet, which has low bioavailability and high toxicity. Here, we compared the effects of the supplementation of the diet with Se nanoparticles (nano-Se) on the growth, sexual behavior, and reproductive performance (gonad size, sperm quality traits, and plasma testosterone levels for males and egg production for females) of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

Materials and Methods

Quail chicks (n = 300) aging 14 days were divided into three groups: Group 1 (basal diet and Se at 0.2 mg/kg ration), Group 2 (basal diet and nano-Se at 0.2 mg/kg ration), and Group 3 (basal diet and nano-Se at 0.1 mg/kg ration). Several parameters relating to body weight and egg were measured. Sexual behaviors of the birds were observed by continuous visual scanning. The sperm viability, sperm morphology, and concentration of spermatozoa were determined after staining and microscopic examination. The plasma testosterone levels were determined by indirect enzyme immunoassay assay. The Se concentrations in the testicular, ovarian, and ration samples were measured by flame emission atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

Results

The type or concentration of nano-Se administration had no impact on body weight, feed efficiency, egg production, or egg weight. However, the total feed intake throughout the experiment was reduced in Group 2 at 0.2 mg/kg. Nano-Se supplementation significantly increased the sexual behavior. In general, the deposition of Se in the testicular and ovarian tissues increased with increasing supplement concentration. At the same supplement concentration, the tissue deposition of nano-Se was more enhanced than that of inorganic Se. Nano-Se supplementation improved the testicular functions by enhancing plasma testosterone level and sperm quality traits (sperm count, motility, and viability). This improvement was found more prominent with the lower supplement concentration (when comparing 0.1 vs. 0.2 mg/kg diet).

Conclusion

It is concluded that the use of nano-Se (at 0.1 mg/kg) in the ration of Japanese quail improves several reproductive performance parameters.