Oxidative stress in pigs and opportunities with selenium-containing amino acids

Modern pig farming practices, characterized by highly-productive and fast-growing genetics, early weaning, and uncontrolled factors such as heat stress and various nutritional challenges, impose cumulative stress on the animal. Elevated concentrations of reactive oxygen species within cells can compromise cellular function and decrease reproductive performance of breeding stock and the growth of progeny up to market age, and deteriorate pork quality, ultimately causing economic losses. Antioxidants and micronutrients can be supplemented in animal feed to alleviated the adverse impact of oxidative stress on pig health and production performance. Selenium is an essential micronutrient required for an efficient antioxidant defense system. Se-enriched yeast serves as a natural source of organice selenium. Its effectiveness in improving selenium (Se) assimilation and oxidative status in modern pigs, especially under intensee stress conditions, has been well documented. This review aims to address oxidative stress challenges encountered by pigs during commercial production and elaborate on the capacity of organic Se to mitigate oxidative stress in pigs. Se-enriched yeast provides biologically and nutritionally important amounts of SeMet and SeCys. The review summarizes evidence that, compared wtih inorganic Se, dietary Se-enriched yeast effectively alleviates oxidative stress in pigs while enhancing production performance and pork quality.