Organic and inorganic selenium in Aseel chicken diets: Effect on hatching traits

The Effects of In Ovo Feeding of Selenized Glucose on Selenium Concentration and Antioxidant Capacity of Breast Muscle in Neonatal Broilers

This study aims to investigate the impacts of in ovo feeding (IOF) of selenized glucose (SeGlu) on selenium (Se) level and antioxidant capacity of breast muscle in newborn broilers. After candling on 16 day of incubation, a total of 450 eggs were randomly divided into three treatments. On the 17.5th day of incubation, eggs in a control treatment were injected with 0.1 mL of physiological saline (0.75%), while the 2nd group and 3rd group were supplied with 0.1 mL of physiological saline containing 10 μg Se from SeGlu (SeGlu10 group) and 20 μg Se from SeGlu (SeGlu20 group). The results showed that in ovo injection in both SeGlu10 and SeGlu20 increased the Se level and reduced glutathione concentration (GSH) in pectoral muscle of hatchlings (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the SeGlu20-treated chicks significantly enhanced the activity of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and mRNA expression of NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1) in breast muscle, while there was upregulation in mRNA expressions of glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX-1) and thioredoxin reductase 1 (TrxR1) and higher total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in SeGlu10 treatment (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference on enzyme activities of glutathione peroxidase (GR), glutathione reductase, thioredoxin reductase, concentration of malondialdehyde, and free radical scavenging ability (FRSA) of superoxide radical (O2-•) and hydroxyl radical (OH•) was observed among the three treatments (P > 0.05). Therefore, IOF of SeGlu enhanced Se deposition in breast muscle of neonatal broilers. In addition, in ovo injection of SeGlu could increase the antioxidant capacity of newborn chicks possibly through upregulating the mRNA expression of GPX1, TrxR1, and NQO1, as well as the SOD activity.

Selenium-enriched Bacillus subtilis Improves Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity, Immune Status, and Gut Health of Broiler Chickens

This study aimed to investigate the effects of selenium (Se)-enriched Bacillus subtilis (Se-BS) on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immune status, and gut health in broilers. A total of 240 one-day-old Arbor Acres broilers were randomly allotted to four groups and fed with basal diet (control group), 0.30 mg/kg Se (SS group), 3 × 109 CFU/g B. subtilis (BS group), and 0.30 mg/kg Se + 3 × 109 CFU/g B. subtilis (Se-BS group) for 42 days. The results showed that Se-BS supplementation increased body weight (BW), average daily gain, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and the contents of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, and immunoglobulin (Ig) G in plasma, the index and wall thickness of the duodenum, the villus height and crypt depth of the jejunum, and GPx-1 and thioredoxin reductase 1 mRNA levels in liver and intestine and decreased feed conversion ratio (FCR) and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) content compared with the control group on day 42 (P < 0.05). Compared with groups SS and BS, Se-BS supplementation increased BW, the activities of GPx, CAT, and POD, and the contents of IL-2, IL-4, and IgG in plasma, the index and wall thickness of the duodenum, the crypt depth and secretory IgA content of the jejunum, and GPx-1 mRNA levels in liver and intestine and decreased FCR and plasma MDA content on day 42 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, Se-BS supplementation effectively improved the growth performance antioxidant capacity, immune status, and gut health of broilers.

A combination of selenium and Bacillus subtilis improves the quality and flavor of meat and slaughter performance of broilers

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the combination of selenium and Bacillus subtilis (Se-BS) on the quality and flavor of meat and slaughter performance of broilers. A total of 240 one-day-old Arbor Acres broilers were randomly allotted to four treatments of a basal diet supplemented with no selenium (control), sodium selenite (SS), BS, or Se-BS and raised for 42 days. Compared with the control group, Se-BS significantly increased the carcass weight, the half-eviscerated weight, the completely eviscerated weight, the carcass rate, and redness in broiler muscles; improved the antioxidant state by increasing glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S-transferase activities, the total antioxidant capacity, and GPx-1 and thioredoxin reductase 1 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels; promoted biological activity by increasing the contents of glutamate, phenylalanine, lysine, and tyrosine; and increased Se and five types of nitrogenous volatile substances in muscles. On the other hand, Se-BS treatment decreased the shear force, drip loss, and the malondialdehyde, glutathione, and lead contents in muscles. Se-BS exerted a better effect on slaughter performance, the physicochemical quality of meat, the redox status, the amino acid contents, the trace element contents, and volatile substances compared with SS and BS. In conclusion, Se-BS had a positive effect on the quality and flavor of meat and slaughter performance of broilers, suggesting that Se-BS may be a beneficial feed additive.

Amorphous selenium inhibits oxidative stress injury of neurons in vascular dementia rats by activating NMDAR pathway

Vascular dementia (VD) is one of the most common causes of dementia, taking account for about 20% of all cases. Although studies have found that selenium supplementation can improve the cognitive ability of Alzheimer's patients, there is currently no research on the cognitive impairment caused by VD. This study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of Amorphous selenium nanodots (A SeNDs) in the prevention of VD. The bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) method was used to establish a VD model. The neuroprotective effect of A SeNDs was evaluated by Morris water maze, Transcranial Doppler TCD, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, Neuron-specific nuclear protein (Neu N) staining and Golgi staining. Detect the expression levels of oxidative stress and Calcium-calmodulin dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II), N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit NR2A, and postsynaptic dense protein 95 (PSD95). Finally, measure the concentration of calcium ions in neuronal cells. The results showed that A SeNDs could significantly improve the learning and memory ability of VD rats, restore the posterior arterial blood flow of the brain, improve the neuronal morphology and dendritic remodeling of pyramidal cells in hippocampal CA1 area, reduce the level of oxidative stress in VD rats, increase the expression of NR2A, PSD95, CaMK II proteins and reduce intracellular calcium ion concentration, but the addition of selective NR2A antagonist NVP-AAMO77 eliminated these benefits. It suggests that A SeNDs may improve cognitive dysfunction in vascular dementia rats by regulating the NMDAR pathway.

Effects of selenium supplementation on the growth performance, slaughter characteristics, and blood biochemistry of naked neck chicken

This study examined how selenium-supplemented diets affected the performance of naked neck chickens. The birds were fed both organic and inorganic selenium at 0.30 ppm, while the control diet did not include any additional selenium. A total of 225 one-day-old naked neck chicks were randomly divided into 3 experimental groups, each of which was replicated 5 times (replicates) and contained 15 birds. This was done using a completely randomized design. The data was collected after growth, meat quality, and blood profile parameters were assessed. The findings showed that the birds fed inorganic selenium in the diet displayed increased (P < 0.05) feed intake followed by those administered organic selenium and the control diet. On the other hand, birds fed organic selenium in the diet showed enhanced body weight gain and better feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05). Similarly, organic selenium supplementation increased (P < 0.05) breast and thigh weight compared to inorganic selenium, but no other metrics, such as dressing percentage, drumstick weight, liver weight, gizzard weight, heart weight, or wing weight, significantly differed between treatments (P > 0.05). When compared to birds fed inorganic Se and control diet, the birds fed organic Se had greater (P < 0.05) blood levels of total protein and globulin. Additionally, it was discovered that organic Se-fed birds had greater (P < 0.05) blood Se concentrations than control and inorganic Se-fed birds. However, no differences between treatments were found in albumin, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, or uric acid (P > 0.05). In conclusion, adding Se-enriched yeast, as an organic selenium source, to diets may enhance the poor growth and slaughter characteristics of naked neck chicks without negatively affecting blood chemistry.

Effects of dietary supplementation of different sources and levels of selenium on the semen quality and reproductive performance in aged broiler breeder roosters

Fertility has a great impact on economic outcome in poultry sector. However, several physiological stressors such as aging adversely affected fertilization capacity and hatching quantity and quality. This study investigated the effect of dietary supplementation of different sources and levels of inorganic and organic selenium on the semen quality and reproductive performance of aged broiler breeder roosters. A total of thirty-six 50-wk-old Ross 308 roosters were randomly allocated to 6 groups and fed with different levels of organic and inorganic selenium. Treatments were included in the basal diet (control: CG), dietary supplementation of 0.15 (SeY0.15), 0.30 (SeY0.30), and 0.45 (SeY0.45) mg/kg selenium-enriched yeast (SeY), dietary supplementation of 0.30 mg/kg commercial organic selenium (Selemax), and dietary supplementation of 0.30 mg/kg sodium selenite (SS) as an inorganic source during 12 consecutive weeks. Ejaculated volume, semen quality attributes of the collected semen samples were evaluated every week.

To assess fertility, hatchability and the hatched chick quality, the semen samples collected during last 2 wk of the trial were used to artificial insemination of hens. In order to measure seminiferous tube diameter and seminiferous epithelium thickness, testicular histology was also performed at the end of the experiment. Sperm motility, plasma membrane functionality and integrity, and ejaculation volume were higher in the SeY0.45 group compared to the other groups (P < 0.05). Fertility and hatchability rate as well as seminiferous epithelium thickness and seminiferous tube diameter were improved in the SeY0.45 compared with CG, SeY0.15 and SS groups (P < 0.05). Also hatchelling quality from roosters with SeY0.45 was higher than CG and SS groups (P < 0.05). No significant differences were noted in embryonic mortality between groups (P > 0.05).

In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 0.45 mg SeY improved sperm quality and reproductive performance of aged broiler breeder roosters.

Effect of Glycine Nano-Selenium Supplementation on Production Performance, Egg Quality, Serum Biochemistry, Oxidative Status, and the Intestinal Morphology and Absorption of Laying Hens

The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using glycine nano-selenium (NS-Gly) as a feed supplement and to evaluate its influence on production performance, egg quality, serum biochemistry, oxidative status, and the intestinal morphology and absorption of laying hens. A total of 864 hens at 40 weeks were randomly assigned into six groups including the basal diet (control, 0.13 mg Se/kg); basal diet + 0.30 mg Se/kg (Na₂SeO₃) diet; and basal diet + 0.15, 0.30, 0.45, and 0.60 mg Se/kg (NS-Gly) diet. After 8 weeks of Se supplementation, no difference was observed among the treatments on production performance and egg quality (P > 0.05). The levels of albumin (ALB) and alanine aminotransferase (GPT) were significantly influenced by dietary Se supplementation (P < 0.05). In the serum, the level of glutathione peroxide (GSH-Px) was significantly increased in the groups with the dietary NS-Gly supplementation (P < 0.05). The superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) levels in all groups of NS-Gly supplementation had a remarkable increase (P < 0.05). In the liver, GSH-Px was significantly increased in 0.45 and 0.60 mg/kg NS-Gly groups (P < 0.05). The activities of SOD and catalase (CAT) were significantly increased in the groups of 0.30 mg/kg NS-Gly diet (P < 0.05). The results of intestinal morphology showed that the crypt depth was affected by higher dose groups of NS-Gly diets in the duodenum, and the differences (P < 0.05) were obtained in villus height, the crypt depth, and the V/C in the jejunum. In the ileum, a significant increase (P < 0.05) of villus height was observed in 0.15 and 0.3 mg/kg Se-added groups. The V/C was the highest in the SS groups (P < 0.05). The mRNA levels of solute carrier family 3 member 1 (rBAT), solute carrier family 6 member 19 (B⁰AT1), and solute carrier family 15 member 1 (PepT1) increased at different degrees in the duodenum, especially in 0.15 and 0.60 mg/kg NS-Gly groups (P < 0.05). In the jejunum, the expression of B⁰AT1 was similar to that in the duodenum, and the expression of rBAT increased significantly in the 0.30 and 0.45 mg/kg NS-Gly groups (P < 0.05). The mRNA level of PepT1 increased significantly in the 0.30 mg/kg SS group. Conclusively, dietary NS-Gly supplementation could improve the antioxidant capacity, as well as the structure of small intestine in laying hens, although have no significant effects on the production performance and egg quality.

Nanoselenium and Selenium Yeast Have Minimal Differences on Egg Production and Se Deposition in Laying Hens

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of nanoselenium (NS) and selenium yeast (SY) on the performance, egg selenium (Se) concentration, and anti-oxidative capacity of hens. A total of 216 Brown Hy-line hens (29-week old) were randomly allocated into three treatments (6 replicate/treatment, 12 hens/replicate). The pre-trial period lasted 7 days, and the experimental period lasted 35 days. Dietary treatments included corn-soybean meal basal diet (containing 0.16 μg Se/g, as control group), and basal diet supplemented with 0.3 mg Se/kg diet (Se was from NS or SY), called as SY group or NS group, respectively. At the end of the experiment, one hen per replicate from each treatment was slaughtered. Liver, spleen, and kidney tissues were sampled for the determination of Se concentrations. The results showed that NS or SY supplement significantly improved feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05), soft broken egg rate (P < 0.05), and the serum T-AOC value (P < 0.05) when compared with control group. Remarkably, the deposition of Se increased significantly (P < 0.05) and equivalently in egg, liver, and kidney of hens supplemented with both NS and SY. Interestingly, SY supplement also enhanced the serum CAT and SOD activities (P < 0.05), NS but not SY significantly reduced serum MDA (P < 0.05), whereas RT-PCR results did not show significant differences in the mRNA levels of antioxidant genes among three groups (P > 0.05). Taken together, dietary supplemented with SY or NS improved the Se deposition in eggs, liver and kidney of laying hens, increased antioxidant activity, and NS supplement had greater Se deposition in the kidney tissue than SY supplement. SY or NS supplement could be considered to be applied for Se-enriched egg production.

The mixed application of organic and inorganic selenium shows better effects on incubation and progeny parameters

This experiment aims to study the effects of dietary selenium (Se) sources on the production performance, reproductive performance, and maternal effect of breeder laying hens. A total of 2,112 Hyline brown breeder laying hens of 42 wk of age were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups, with 8 repeats in each group and 88 chickens per repeat. The sources of dietary Se were sodium selenite (SS, added at 0.3 mg/kg), L-selenomethionine (L-SM, added at 0.2 mg/kg), and combination of SS and L-SM (SS 0.15 mg/kg + L-SM 0.15 mg/kg). The pretest period was 7 d, and the breeding period was 49 d. Compared with 0.3 mg/kg SS, the addition of 0.2 mg/kg L-SM in the diet significantly increased the hatchability (P < 0.05) and the Se content (P < 0.05) in egg yolk and chicken embryo tissues and improved the activity of yolk glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) effectively (P < 0.05). Treatment with 0.2 mg/kg L-SM also reduced the content of yolk malondialdehyde (P < 0.05) and significantly improved the antioxidant performance of 1-day-old chicks, as manifested by increased activity of antioxidant enzymes (GSH-px, total antioxidant capacity and the ability to inhibit hydroxyl radicals) in serum, pectoral, heart, and liver (P < 0.05). This treatment decreased the malondialdehyde content (P < 0.05) and increased the expression of liver glutathione peroxidase 4 and deiodinase 1 mRNA (P < 0.05). Adding L-SM to the diets of chickens increased the hatchability of breeder eggs as well as the amount of Se deposited and antioxidant enzyme activity in breeder eggs and embryos. Compared with SS, L-SM was more effectively transferred from the mother to the embryo and offspring, showing efficient maternal nutrition. For breeder diets, the combination of organic and inorganic Se (0.15 mg/kg SS + 0.15 mg/kg L-SM) is an effective nutrient supplementation technology program for effectively improving the breeding performance of breeders and the antioxidant performance and health level of offspring chicks.

Effect of Microbiota-Selenoprotein on Meat Selenium Content and Meat Quality of Broiler Chickens

Simple Summary

Lack of selenium (Se) is a worldwide problem which leads to an increased exposure to various diseases in animals and humans, as well as decreased productive and reproductive performance of animals. Due to the health benefits of this element, it can be supplemented to humans as multimineral containing inorganic Se and Saccharomycescerevisiae yeast, which mainly contains selenomethionine. On the other hand, selenium-containing food products—such as selenium-rich meat—can be considered as functional foods, which can be produced easily using organic selenium. This study states that Se-enriched breast meat with good antioxidant capacity can be produced using extracted bacterial selenoprotein.

Abstract

Selenium (Se) is able to transform from inorganic to organic forms via many bacterial species. This feature is being considered for delivering more bioavailable selenium compounds such as selenocysteine and selenomethionine for human and animal diet. This study investigated the effects of bacterial selenoprotein versus inorganic Se on the carcass characteristics, breast meat selenium content, antioxidant status, and meat quality of broiler chickens. One hundred and eighty chicks were randomly allotted to five treatments of a basal diet supplemented with no Se, sodium selenite, Enterobactercloacae Selenium (ADS1-Se), Klebsiellapneumoniae-Selenium (ADS2-Se), and Stenotrophomonasmaltophilia-Selenium (ADS18-Se). The results showed that bacterial selenoprotein has the ability to deposit more Se in the breast meat compared to sodium selenite. Both Se sources reduced breast meat drip loss, cooking loss, shear force, and 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) significantly. It also increased total antioxidant (TAC) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in comparison with the negative control. The highest activity of (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was found in bacterial selenoprotein. In conclusion, bacterial selenoprotein is more efficient than sodium selenite in increasing the breast meat Se deposition and oxidative capacity of broiler chickens. Therefore, it can be effectively used to produce Se-rich meat as a functional food.

Nutritional modulation of the antioxidant capacities in poultry: the case of selenium

Natural antioxidants play important roles in maintaining chicken health, productive and reproductive performance of breeders, layers, rearing birds, and growing broilers. There is a wide range of antioxidant molecules in the body: vitamin E, carotenoids, selenium, ascorbic acid, coenzyme Q, carnitine, taurine, antioxidant enzymes, etc. In the body all antioxidants work together to create the antioxidant network called "antioxidant systems" with Se being the "chief-executive." Analysis of the current data on selenium roles in antioxidant defenses in poultry clearly showed its modulatory effect at the level of breeders, developing embryos, newly hatched chicks, and postnatal chickens. On the one hand, Se is involved in the expression and synthesis of 25 selenoproteins, including GSH-Px, TrxR, and SepP. On the other hand, Se affects non-enzymatic (vitamin E, CoQ, and GSH) and enzymatic (SOD) antioxidant defense mechanisms helping build strong antioxidant defenses. Se efficiency depends on the level of supplementation and form of dietary Se, organic Se sources being more effective modulators of the antioxidant systems in poultry than sodium selenite. Moreover, Se levels in eggs from some wild avian species are close to those found in chicken eggs after 0.3 ppm organic Se supplementation and a search for most effective dietary form of organic Se is a priority in poultry nutrition. Antioxidant/prooxidant (redox) balance of the gut and the role/interactions of Se and microbiota in maintaining gut health would be a priority for future poultry research.