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Low Selenium Diet Alters Cell Cycle Phase, Apoptotic Population and Modifies Oxidative Stress Markers of Spleens in Broilers

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Abstract

The purpose of this 42-day study was to investigate the effects of low selenium (Se) on histopathological changes of spleen, cell cycle and apoptosis of splenocytes, and oxidative status of the spleen. One hundred twenty 1-day-old avian broilers were randomly divided into two groups of 60 each and were fed on a low Se diet (0.0342 mg/kg Se) or a control diet (0.2 mg/kg Se), respectively. The weight and relative weight of the spleen were significantly decreased in the low Se group when compared with those of the control group. Histopathologically, splenic lesions in low-Se chicken were characterized by lymphocyte depletion and congestion of red pulp. As measured by flow cytometry, splenocytes in G0/G1 phase were significantly increased, while splenocytes in S phase and G2 + M phase were obviously decreased in the low Se group. The percentage of apoptotic splenocytes was greatly increased in the low Se group when compared with that of control group. At the same time, the occurrence frequencies of apoptotic splenocytes was markedly increased in the low Se group with the appearance of condensed nucleus ultrastructurally. Oxidative stress in the spleens of the low Se group was evidenced by decrease in glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities and increase in malondialdehyde contents. The results showed that low Se diet intake caused increased apoptosis, arrested cell cycle, and obvious oxidative stress, which provided a possible pathway for the injured structure and immune function of the spleen in chickens.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University (IRT 0848) and Education Department of Sichuan Province (09ZZ017).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’an, Sichuan, China, 625014

    Xi Peng, Hengmin Cui, Jing Fang, Zhicai Zuo, Junliang Deng, Kangcheng Pan, Weimin Lai & Yi Zhou

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  1. Xi Peng
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  2. Hengmin Cui
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  3. Jing Fang
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  4. Zhicai Zuo
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  5. Junliang Deng
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  7. Weimin Lai
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  8. Yi Zhou
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Correspondence to Hengmin Cui.

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Peng, X., Cui, H., Fang, J. et al. Low Selenium Diet Alters Cell Cycle Phase, Apoptotic Population and Modifies Oxidative Stress Markers of Spleens in Broilers. Biol Trace Elem Res 148, 182–186 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-012-9357-1

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