Dietary Selenium Source and Level Influence Growth Performance, Blood Parameters, Meat Quality, and Selenium...

This study investigated the effects of dietary nano-selenium (nano-Se) levels and Se sources on growth performance, blood parameters, meat quality, and tissue Se deposition in broilers. In Experiment 1, 480 broilers were assigned to five treatments (0, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, and 0.40 mg/kg nano-Se) to assess the dose-dependent effects of nano-Se, with 0.20-0.22 mg/kg identified as the optimal dose through quadratic regression. In Experiment 2, 480 broilers received either a control diet or diets supplemented with 0.20 mg/kg Se from nano-Se, sodium selenite (SS), or two organic Se sources (Se-enriched yeast 1 and 2, SY1 and SY2). Supplementation with 0.20-0.30 mg/kg nano-Se improved (p < 0.05) antioxidant status, carcass yield, muscle redness at 45 min post-slaughter, and Se concentration in serum. At 0.20 mg/kg, nano-Se, SY1, and SY2 showed greater improvements in carcass traits, and antioxidant status than SS (p < 0.05), with comparable efficacy between nano-Se and organic sources. Nano-Se, organic Se sources, and SS increased Se deposition in serum and breast muscle compared to the control (p < 0.05). In conclusion, 0.20 mg/kg nano-Se is recommended for broiler diets, demonstrating superior bioefficacy to inorganic Se and comparable effects to organic Se sources.