Relative bioavailability of selenium yeast for broilers fed a conventional corn-soybean meal diet

Area of Science:

• Animal Nutrition
• Poultry Science
• Trace Mineral Metabolism

Background:

• Selenium (Se) is an essential trace mineral crucial for poultry health and productivity.
• Different selenium sources, such as Se yeast (SY) and sodium selenite (SS), vary in their bioavailability.
• Understanding the relative bioavailability of Se sources is vital for optimizing broiler diets and health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the relative bioavailability of selenium from Se yeast (SY) versus sodium selenite (SS) in broilers.
• To evaluate the impact of different Se sources and levels on Se deposition and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity.
• To determine the optimal Se source for enhancing broiler performance and health indicators.

Main Methods:

• A 42-day feeding trial with 360 Arbor Acres broilers was conducted using a 2x2 factorial design plus a control.
• Treatments included two Se sources (SY and SS) at two added Se levels (0.20 and 0.40 mg Se/kg), plus a Se-unsupplemented control.
• Measurements included Se concentrations in plasma and tissues, and GSH-Px activity and mRNA levels in various organs.

Main Results:

• Increasing Se levels linearly increased Se concentrations and GSH-Px activity/mRNA levels in broilers.
• Significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were observed between SY and SS for Se deposition and GSH-Px parameters.
• Se bioavailability of SY relative to SS ranged from 111% to 394% based on various physiological indices.

Conclusions:

• Selenium from Se yeast (SY) demonstrated higher bioavailability than sodium selenite (SS) in broilers.
• SY was more effective in increasing Se concentrations in plasma and tissues and enhancing GSH-Px activity.
• The findings suggest SY is a more advantageous Se source for broiler nutrition compared to SS.