J. Appl. Poult. Res.
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J APPL POULT RES 2009. 18:151-157. doi:10.3382/japr.2008-00069
© 2009 Poultry Science Association
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Research Reports

Selenium contents of eggs from broiler breeders supplemented with sodium selenite or zinc-L-selenium-methionine

R. N. Reis*, S. L. Vieira*,1, P. C. Nascimento{dagger}, J. E. Peña*, R. Barros* and C. A. Torres*

* Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; and {dagger} Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

1 Corresponding author: slvieira{at}ufrgs.br


   SUMMARY
TOP
 SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 CONCLUSIONS AND APPLICATIONS
 REFERENCES AND NOTES
 
This study evaluated the effects of sources and levels of Se in broiler breeder diets on egg production and Se concentration in eggs. Fifty Cobb 500 hens, 22 wk of age, were individually placed in steel cages and fed a basal diet without Se supplementation for 3 wk. Birds were then provided 5 dietary treatments with 10 replicates of 1 individual hen, which had dietary Se supplied from sodium selenite (inorganic; Na2SeO3, 45% Se) or from Zn-L-Se-methionine (organic; ZnSeMet, 0.1% Se) as follows: treatment 1, 0.15% Se from Na2SeO3; treatment 2, 0.30% Se from Na2SeO3; treatment 3, 0.15% Se from ZnSeMet; treatment 4, 0.30% Se from ZnSeMet; treatment 5, 0.15% Se from Na2SeO3 + 0.15% Se from ZnSeMet. Evaluations were conducted in 2 periods of 4 wk each. Experimental diets were prepared through the supplementation of corn-soybean meal diets. Egg production and egg weight were recorded daily, whereas specific gravity was measured twice a week from 25 to 32 wk. In the first period, the hens fed 0.30 ppm of organic Se produced more eggs (P < 0.05), whereas no difference (P > 0.05) in egg production was found in the second period. Period evaluations showed that egg weight was not different (P > 0.05), whereas specific gravity decreased (P < 0.05) and Se concentration in eggs increased (P < 0.05) in the second period, regardless of Se source. A comparison between treatments with single Se sources demonstrated that the concentration of Se in eggs followed the increased levels in the feeds when ZnSeMet was used (P < 0.05). However, the supplementation of a combination of sources (Na2SeO3 and ZnSeMet) produced similar egg Se concentrations.

Key Words: broiler breeder • hatching egg • selenium • zinc-L-selenium-methionine


   DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM
TOP
 SUMMARY
 DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM
MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 CONCLUSIONS AND APPLICATIONS
 REFERENCES AND NOTES
 
Selenium supplementation of animal feeds has been a regular practice for many years, mostly because Se in plant ingredients is usually below animal requirement levels, but also because of its high variability [1]. More recently, the form of Se used in supplements has been the target of many investigations and Se-methionine has frequently been suggested as a complementary source, especially for broiler breeders [2].

The concentration of Se in plants is dependent on its concentration in the soil and on the soil chemical conditions, which affect its availability for growing plants [3]. Cereals and forages convert a large part of Se absorbed from the soil into Se-methionine, which is further incorporated in polypeptides. In seleniferous corn, wheat, and soybeans, Se-methionine makes up 80% of the total Se [4]. As with other amino acids, Se-methionine exists in the levo or dextro isomeric form; however, only the levo form occurs naturally in plants [2].

Sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) has been the most common form of Se supplementation in broiler feeds. However, the use of this inorganic form has been questioned because of some negative characteristics, such as toxicity, interactions with other minerals, poor retention and low efficiency in the transference into milk and meat, and poor ability to maintain Se reserves in the body [5]. Fermentation by yeast colonies of Saccharomyces cerevisiae enriched with Na2SeO3 has been a traditional form of producing organic Se, which has demonstrated increased body retention when compared with inorganic sources [6]. Most Se-enriched yeast products have Se-methionine as the predominant form of Se; however, its concentration can vary markedly [1]. In addition, molecular differences between commercial presentations exist and potentially can affect Se availability to animals.

The development of the chick embryo is dependent on the deposition of nutrients in the egg by the hen. Some nutrient concentrations increase in the egg if higher levels are fed to the hen. In parallel, it is believed that the faster development experienced by broilers with the present genetics as well as stress factors could lead to overproduction of free radicals. An increase in free radicals has been correlated with reductions in productive and reproductive performance [5].

Selenium is an integral part of glutathione peroxidase, which eliminates some sources of free radicals from metabolic activity [7]. Therefore, increasing the concentration of Se in eggs may favor additional protection during incubation and immediately after hatching. The objective of this study was to evaluate the transference of Se from broiler breeders into their eggs from Na2SeO3 or Zn-L-Se-methionine (ZnSeMet).


   MATERIALS AND METHODS
TOP
 SUMMARY
 DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 CONCLUSIONS AND APPLICATIONS
 REFERENCES AND NOTES
 
Sixty Cobb 500 broiler breeders [8], 22 wk of age, were weighed and placed individually in steel cages, 0.33 cm wide x 46 cm deep x 0.40 cm high. Hens were fed a basal diet without Se supplementation until 25 wk, when they began to be fed the experimental diets. Two Se sources were evaluated in this study: Na2SeO3, which has traditionally been used, and ZnSeMet, a novel form of organic Se, which is chemically synthesized [9]. Dietary treatments were prepared with the incorporation of 0.1% Se mixes from the 2 sources into the basal feed as follows: treatment 1, 0.15% Se from Na2SeO3; treatment 2, 0.30% Se from Na2SeO3; treatment 3, 0.15% Se from ZnSeMet; treatment 4, 0.30% Se from ZnSeMet; and treatment 5, 0.15% Se from Na2SeO3 and 0.15% Se from ZnSeMet. Breeders were assigned to treatments in a completely randomized design with 10 replications each. Two birds from each treatment were maintained aside in individual cages in the same house to replace mortalities. Treatment diets were fed for 8 wk.

The basal feed was formulated with corn, soybean meal, and wheat bran according to the Brazilian tables [10] (Table 1Go). This feed was first mixed without any supplementation of Se in 100-kg batches. All diets were offered as mash following the recommendations in the Cobb Breeder Management Guide [11].


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  		Table 1. Composition of basal diets
 
Egg production and egg weight were recorded daily, whereas specific gravity was measured twice a week from 25 to 32 wk. Eggs were broken daily and the whole contents were stored frozen ( 18°C) as a pool from 2 hens for the two 4-wk periods, resulting in 5 samples per treatment. Egg contents were thawed and mixed after the end of each period and were analyzed for Se concentrations by using a ZEEnit 600 model [12] transversely heated graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer equipped with an MP-60 autosampler. The light source was a hollow cathode lamp operating at a 7-mA current at the 196.0-nm resonance line. A pyrolitic-coated graphite tube platform was used. Atomic signals were measured in the peak area mode. High-purity argon (99.99% purity) was used as the purge gas [13, 14]. The experiment was a completely randomized design in a 2 x 2 + 1 factorial arrangement with 2 periods. Responses were submitted to a 2-way ANOVA with repeated measures by using SAS procedures, followed by Tukey’s test [15]. Mortality data were analyzed after arcsine transformation, and Tukey’s test was used to separate the means when the treatment difference was significant (P < 0.05).


   RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
TOP
 SUMMARY
 DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
CONCLUSIONS AND APPLICATIONS
 REFERENCES AND NOTES
 
Analyzed Se in the basal diet was 0.15 ppm, whereas the calculated value was 0.16 ppm. Analysis of experimental feeds demonstrated a total amount of Se that was consistent with the incremental supplemented values of the inorganic and organic sources (Table 2Go).


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  		Table 2. Formulated and analyzed Se concentrations in the experimental feeds1
 
Hen-day egg production and egg weight could be considered typical for broiler breeder flocks (Table 3Go). There was a significant interaction (P < 0.05) between Se source, Se level, and period for egg production. Hens receiving 0.30 ppm of ZnSeMet had the greatest reduction in production from the first to the second period; however, there was no difference among all the other treatments. The reduction in production of hens fed 0.30 ZnSeMet resulted from a higher peak of production for that treatment in the first period because there were no differences on the second period. There were no significant treatment differences for egg weights at any measured moment (P > 0.05; Table 4Go). Specific gravity was not affected by the treatments (P > 0.05; Table 5Go); however, mean values decreased from the first to the second period (P < 0.01).


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  		Table 3. Effect of Se sources and levels on hen-day egg production (%)
 

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  		Table 4. Effect of Se sources and levels on egg weight (g)
 

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  		Table 5. Effect of Se sources and levels on specific gravity
 
Regardless of the source or level of Se used to supplement the treatment, a higher Se deposition was observed in eggs produced in the second period (P < 0.01; Table 6Go). An interaction between Se source and level was observed (P < 0.01), which translated into an increase in Se concentration in eggs only when the organic source was used (P < 0.01).


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  		Table 6. Effect of Se sources and levels on egg Se content (ppm)
 
Previous investigations using Se from different sources, including inorganic and yeast sources, showed effects on egg production only when the level of Se in the feed was low [16]. In the present study, birds receiving 0.30 ppm of Se from ZnSeMet had a higher production in the first period, which led to a significant difference in egg production between the 2 periods. In the first period, birds were still increasing daily egg production toward the peak; therefore, it could be assumed that the higher incorporation of Se from ZnSeMet into egg contents may have been due to its greater incorporation into egg proteins.

Studies comparing sources of inorganic and organic Se with respect to egg weight are contradictory. Apparently, levels of Se, which increase egg weight, were higher than those used in practical breeder or laying hen diets or when practical levels are compared with nonsupplemented feeds. Payne et al. [17] found a linear increase in egg weight when Se yeast supplementation ranged from 0 to 3 ppm. Whether higher concentrations of Se in feeds would affect total protein synthesis, and therefore egg weight, is still unknown. Organic Se incorporation into the egg has been suggested to be in a large fraction as Se-methionine [18]. Methionine supplementation per se has been shown to affect egg weight positively [19]. A similar response for Se-methionine, which leads to increased egg weight, could be expected if it were fully incorporated into egg proteins. Apparently, this is possible because transfer RNA cannot differentiate between Se-methionine and methionine [3].

Regardless of the source, concentrations of Se in eggs were dependent on the period of supplementation, which seems to be an indication of a cumulative incorporation of Se into egg contents. In rats, increasing Se-methionine supplementation led to higher concentrations of Se in animal tissue until a plateau was reached [20]. Supposedly, this maximum incorporation occurred in parallel with methionine incorporation into tissue proteins. In the case of the egg, this accumulation should occur in the liver and oviduct cells, which synthesize yolk and albumen proteins, respectively [21, 22]. An accumulation of Se was also expected from inorganic sources. Higher animals cannot synthesize Se-methionine [6], but Se from selenite plus serine can produce Se-cysteine, which can be further incorporated into body proteins [23]. A similar path could be expected from inorganic Se, which would result in increased concentrations in egg proteins, although the magnitude of the response was less than with Se-methionine.

In this study, the hens received dietary treatments for a total of 8 wk. Increased Se was found from the first to the second period. An increased concentration was expected after a period of supplementation; however, our results did not allow an estimation of the amount of time needed to reach an unchangeable deposition. One month of supplementation was needed to reach a steady state of Se in blood erythrocytes of humans orally fed selenite, selenide, Se-methionine, or Se yeast [24]; however, the concentration in eggs seemed to be maximized after 4 wk of feeding laying hens a Se yeast [25].

In this study, there were no differences in egg Se concentrations when hens were fed 0.15 ppm of supplemental Se from different sources. However, hens fed 0.30 ppm had eggs with an increased deposition of Se when the feed source was ZnSeMet or when both sources were combined in the same diet. Other studies have shown increased Se bioavailability for egg deposition when organic sources were compared with in-organic sources [16, 17, 25, 26]. Our data demonstrated that the supplementation of ZnSeMet led to a higher deposition of Se in egg contents when compared with Na2SeO3, likely because of a faster transference of this source into egg proteins. This hypothesis takes in account the need for Se to be incorporated first into cysteine and then into animal proteins [27].


   CONCLUSIONS AND APPLICATIONS
TOP
 SUMMARY
 DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 CONCLUSIONS AND APPLICATIONS
REFERENCES AND NOTES
 

  1. Egg weight and specific gravity were not affected when Se was supplemented from Na2SeO3 or ZnSeMet.
  2. Egg Se increased continuously during 8 wk of supplementation regardless of the supplementation from Na2SeO3 or ZnSe-Met.
  3. Selenium contents in egg white plus yolk resembled the levels added to the feeds.
  4. Deposition of Se in egg contents was higher when Se was from ZnSeMet or a racemic mixture of the 2 sources.


   REFERENCES AND NOTES
TOP
 SUMMARY
 DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 CONCLUSIONS AND APPLICATIONS
 REFERENCES AND NOTES
 

  1. Whanger, P. D. 2002. Selenocompounds in plants and animals and their biological significance. J. Am. Coll. Nutr. 21:223–232.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  2. Schrauzer, G. N. 2001. Nutritional selenium supplements: Product types, quality, and safety. J. Am. Coll. Nutr. 20:1–4.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  3. Gierus, M. 2007. Fontes orgânicas e inorgânicas de selênio na nutrição de vacas leiteiras. Ciênc. Rural 37:1212–1220.
  4. Guo, X., and L. Wu. 1998. Distribution of free seleno-amino acids in plant tissue of Melilotus indica L. grown in selenium-laden soils. Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf. 39:207–214.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  5. Underwood, E. J., and N. F. Suttle. 1999. Selenium. Pages 421–476 in The Mineral Nutrition of Livestock. E. J. Underwood and N. F. Suttle, ed. CABI Publishing, Penicuik, UK.
  6. Schrauzer, G. N. 2000. Selenomethionine: A review of its nutritional significance, metabolism and toxicity. J. Nutr. 130:1653–1656.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  7. Rotruck, J. T., A. L. Pope, H. E. Ganther, A. B. Swanson, D. G. Hafeman, and W. G. Hoekstra. 1973. Selenium: Biochemical role as a component of glutathione peroxidase. Science 179:588–590.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  8. Cobb Vantress Brasil Ltda., Guapiacu, Brazil.
  9. Availa-Se, 0.1% Se, produced by Zinpro Corporation, Eden Prairie, MN. Zinc-L-Se-methionine is a levo isomer that is also chelated with an atom of Zn to provide further solubility.
  10. Rostagno, H. S., L. F. T. Albino, J. L. Donzele, P. C. Gomes, R. F. Oliveira, D. C. Lopes, A. S. Ferreira, and S. L. T. Barreto. 2005. Tabelas Brasileiras para Suínos e Aves: Composição de Alimentos e Exigências Nutricionais. 2nd ed. Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Departamento de Zootecnia, Viçosa, Brazil.
  11. Cobb-Vantress. 2005. Cobb Breeder Management Guide. Cobb-Vantress Inc., Siloam Springs, AR.
  12. Analytik AG Jena, Jena, Germany.
  13. Bohrer, D., E. Becker, P. Cicero do Nascimento, M. Dessuy, and L. de Carvalho. 2007. Comparison of graphite furnace and hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry for the determination of selenium status in chicken meat. Food Chem. 104:868–875.[CrossRef][Web of Science]
  14. Kiss, T., and A. Odani. 2007. Demonstration of the importance of metal ion speciation in bioactive systems. Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn. 80:1691–1702.[CrossRef][Web of Science]
  15. SAS Institute. 2001. SAS User’s Guide. Version 8 ed. SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC.
  16. Cantor, A. H., and M. L. Scott. 1974. The effect of selenium in the hen’s diet on egg production, hatchability, performance of progeny and selenium concentration in eggs. Poult. Sci. 53:1870–1880.[Web of Science][Medline]
  17. Payne, R. L., T. K. Lavergne, and L. L. Southern. 2005. Effect of inorganic versus organic selenium on hen production and egg selenium concentration. Poult. Sci. 84:232–237.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  18. Combs, G. F., Jr., and S. B. Combs. 1986. The Role of Selenium in Nutrition. Academic Press, Orlando, FL.
  19. Calderon, V. M., and L. S. Jensen. 1990. The requirement for sulfur amino acids by laying hens influenced by protein concentration. Poult. Sci. 69:934–944.[Medline]
  20. Waschulewski, I. H., and R. A. Sunde. 1988. Effect of dietary methionine on tissue selenium and glutathione peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.9) activity in rats given selenomethionine. Br. J. Nutr. 60:57–68.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  21. Anfinsen, C. B., and D. Steinberg. 1951. Studies on the biosynthesis of ovalbumin. J. Biol. Chem. 189:739–744.[Free Full Text]
  22. Greengard, O., A. Sentenac, and G. Acs. 1965. Induced formation of phosphoprotein in tissues of cockerels in vivo and in vitro. J. Biol. Chem. 240:1687–1691.[Free Full Text]
  23. Daniels, L. A. 1996. Selenium metabolism and bio-availability. Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 54:185–199.[Web of Science][Medline]
  24. Clausen, J., and S. A. Nielsen. 1988. Comparison of whole blood selenium values and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activities of normal individuals on supplementation with selenite, selenide, L-selenomethionine, and high selenium yeast. Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 15:125–138.[Web of Science][Medline]
  25. Latshaw, J. D., and M. D. Biggert. 1981. Incorporation of selenium into egg proteins after feeding selenomethionine or sodium selenite. Poult. Sci. 60:1309–1313.[Web of Science]
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  27. Latshaw, J. D. 1975. Natural and selenite selenium in the hen and egg. J. Nutr. 105:32–37.[Abstract/Free Full Text]




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