Effect of selenium on appetite in the selenium-deficient chick

Area of Science:

• Animal nutrition
• Trace element metabolism
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Selenium is an essential trace element crucial for various physiological functions.
• Selenium deficiency can lead to impaired growth and specific health issues in poultry.
• Understanding the rapid effects of selenium is vital for optimizing animal health and productivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the immediate physiological and biochemical responses to oral selenium administration in selenium-deficient chicks.
• To compare the onset of effects between different forms of selenium (seleno-DL-methionine and selenite).
• To differentiate the impact of selenium on appetite from its role in pancreatic health.

Main Methods:

• Selenium-deficient chicks were administered oral doses of seleno-DL-methionine or selenite.
• Feed consumption, spontaneous activity, body weight gain, and plasma glucose were monitored.
• The activity of selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase in plasma and liver was measured.
• The onset of pancreatic atrophy was assessed in relation to feed intake.

Main Results:

• Seleno-DL-methionine increased feed consumption within 2-3 hours; selenite showed a significant effect at 3-4 hours.
• Spontaneous activity, body weight gain, and plasma glucose increased 6-8 hours post-administration.
• Selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity increased in plasma (8 hours) and liver (24 hours).
• Pancreatic atrophy onset was independent of feed intake levels.

Conclusions:

• Oral selenium administration elicits rapid physiological and biochemical responses in chicks.
• Different selenium forms exhibit varying speeds of action.
• Selenium's appetite-stimulating effect appears separate from its role in preventing nutritional pancreatic atrophy.