The effects of different selenium sources on semen quality of aged broilers under lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stress

Abstract

Introduction: Selenium, a vital element in the body, plays a crucial role in the functioning of
enzymes related to antioxidant defense, fertility, and the immune system. This study seeks to
explore how various selenium sources impact the semen quality of aging broilers under
lipopolysaccharide stress (LPS).
Materials & Methods: A 2×3 factorial experiment involved 96 Ross 308 strain roosters at 45
weeks of age, organized into four replications of three birds each. The experiment included
three selenium sources: mineral selenium (sodium selenite), organic selenium, and nano-bio
chelate of selenium, added to the diet. Semen was assessed before LPS injection and after the
final LPS injection at the experiment's conclusion. Evaluation indicators comprised
malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in semen, total oxidative capacity, glutathione
peroxidase activity in semen, and testosterone levels in blood plasma. Statistical analysis
utilized SAS 9.4 through GLM or MIXED procedures.
Results: The total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase activity levels exhibited
variations among the groups. Specifically, in the LPS-receiving group, the control group
demonstrated significantly lower total antioxidant capacity compared to the Selmax and
Bendacel groups that received PBS. Additionally, the control group exhibited lower
glutathione peroxidase activity compared to the Selmax group that received PBS, although no
differences were observed between this group and others. Moreover, the Selmax group that
received PBS displayed the lowest amount of MDA, a significant difference from the control
and sodium selenite groups that received LPS. Notably, the testosterone concentration in birds
that received Bendacel and sodium selenite, and were challenged with PBS, was significantly
higher than in birds that received LPS without any source of selenium.
Conclusion: The study demonstrated that using organic selenium from Selmax and Bendacel
sources has the potential to enhance the reproductive performance of aged roosters, mitigating
the adverse effects of aging. Notably, the effective addition of 0.30 mg/kg of organic selenium
emerged as a positive intervention in improving reproductive outcomes in the study's context.