Skip to main content
Log in

Effects of Dietary Selenium, Vitamin E, and Their Combination on Growth, Serum Metabolites, and Antioxidant Defense System in Skeletal Muscle of Broilers Under Heat Stress

  • Published:
Biological Trace Element Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary vitamin E, selenium (Se), and a combination of the two, on the performance, serum metabolites and oxidative stability of skeletal muscle of broilers during heat stress. The broilers raised in either a thermoneutral (23.9°C constant) or heat stress (23.9°C to 37°C cycling) environment were assigned to 6 dietary treatments (0, 0.5, or 1 mg/kg Se; 125 and 250 mg/kg vitamin E; or 0.5 mg/kg Se plus 125 mg/kg vitamin E) from 1 to 49 days of age. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected from chicks, the chicks sacrificed, and pectoralis superficialis muscle was used for measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and enzyme activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The heat-stressed chicks consumed less feed, gained less weight, and had higher feed conversion ratio when compared to thermoneutral chicks (P < 0.05). Serum concentrations of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) were decreased by heat stress (P < 0.05), whereas the serum concentrations of copper (Cu), glucose, and uric acid were significantly increased under heat stress (P < 0.05). The chicks that received supplemental of vitamin E exhibited significantly higher serum concentrations of Zn (P < 0.05) and significantly lower concentrations of Cu, glucose, and uric acid (P < 0.05) when exposed to heat stress. Dietary Se also caused a significant decrease in serum glucose, uric acid, and Cu concentrations of heat-stressed broilers (P < 0.05), but had no significant effect on Zn concentration (P > 0.05). The GPx activity remained relatively constant (P > 0.05), though SOD activity and MDA levels in skeletal muscle were enhanced on exposure to heat stress (P < 0.05). The heat-stressed chicks that received the combined supplementary level of vitamin E and Se had the lowest concentration of MDA and the highest activity of SOD in the skeletal muscle (P < 0.05). Dietary Se also caused a significant increase in enzyme activity of GPx in the skeletal muscle (P < 0.05). These results indicate that the derangement of blood parameters and oxidative stability in broilers under heat stress are improved by supplemental vitamin E and Se.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Ando M, Katagiri K, Yamamoto S, Wakamatsu K, Kawahara I, Asanuma S, Usuda M, Sasaki K (1997) Age-related effects of heat stress on productive enzymes for peroxides and microsomal monooxygenase in rat liver. Environ Health Perspect 105:726–733

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Azad MAK, Kikusato M, Maekawa T, Shirakawa H, Toyomizu M (2010) Metabolic characteristics and oxidative damage to skeletal muscle in broiler chickens exposed to chronic heat stress. Comp Biochem Physiol Part A 155:401–406

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Borek C, Ong A, Mason H, Donahue BJE (1986) Selenium and vitamin E inhibit radiogenic and chemically induced transformation in vitro via different mechanisms. Proc Nat Acad Sci 83:1490–1494

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Bradford M (1976) A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle protein-dye bonding. Anal Biochem 102:248–254

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Cheng TK, Coon CN, Hamare ML (1990) Effect of environmental stress on the ascorbic acid requirement of laying hens. Poult Sci 69:774–780

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Diplock AT (1995) Safety of antioxidant vitamins and β-carotene. Am J Clin Nutr 62:1510S–1516S

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Fan C, Yu B, Chen D (2009) Effects of different sources and levels of selenium on performance, thyroid function and antioxidant status in stressed broiler chickens. Int J Poult Sci 8:583–587

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Finkel T, Holbrook NJ (2000) Oxidants, oxidative stress and the biology of ageing. Nature 408:239–247

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Flanagan SW, Moseley PL, Buettner GR (1998) Increased flux of free radicals in cells subjected to hyperthermia: detection by electron paramagnetic resonances spin trapping. FEBS Lett 431:285–286

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Gao J, Lin H, Wang XJ, Song ZG, Jiao HC (2010) Vitamin E supplementation alleviates the oxidative stress induced by dexamethasone treatment and improves meat quality in broiler chickens. Poult Sci 89:318–327

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Grashorn MA (2007) Functionality of poultry meat. J Appl Poult Res 16:99–106

    Google Scholar 

  12. Grau A, Codony R, Grimpa S, Baucells MD, Guardiola F (2001) Cholesterol oxidation in frozen dark chicken meat: influence of dietary fat source and α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid supplementation. Meat Sci 57:197–208

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Halliwell B (1988) Albumin—an important extracellular antioxidant. Biochem Pharmacol 37:569–571

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Halliwell B, Gutteridge JMC, Cross CE (1992) Free radicals, antioxidants and human disease: where are we now? J Lab Clin Med 119:598–620

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Jensen C, Engberg R, Jakobsen K, Skibsted LH, Bertelsen G (1997) Influence of the oxidative quality of dietary oil on broiler meat storage stability. Meat Sci 47:211–222

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Lin H, Decuypere E, Buyse J (2004) Oxidative stress induced by corticosterone administration in broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) 1. Chronic exposure. Comp Biochem Physiol B 139:737–744

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Lin H, Decuypere E, Buyse J (2006) Acute heat stress induces oxidative stress in broiler chickens. Comp Biochem Physiol Part A 144:11–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Machlin LJ (1991) Vitamin E. In: Machlin LJ (ed) Handbook of vitamins. Marcel Dekker, New York, pp 99–114

    Google Scholar 

  19. Mahmoud KZ, Edens FW, Eisen EJ, Havenstein GB (2004) Ascorbic acid decreases heat shock protein 70 and plasma corticosterone response in broilers (Gallus gallus domesticus) subjected to cyclic heat stress. Comp Biochem Physiol B 137:35–42

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Marsh JA, Dietert RR, Combs GF (1981) Influence of dietary selenium and vitamin E on the humoral immune response of the chick. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 66:228–236

    Google Scholar 

  21. Malheiros RD, Moraes VMB, Collin A, Janssens GPJ, Decuypere E, Buyse J (2003) Dietary macronutrients, endocrine functioning and intermediary metabolism in broiler chickens: pair wise substitutions between protein, fat and carbohydrate. Nutr Res 23:567–578

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Mujahid A, Akiba Y, Toyomizu M (2009) Olive oil-supplemented diet alleviates acute heat stress-induced mitochondrial ROS production in chicken skeletal muscle. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 297:R690–R698

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Mujahid A, Pumford NR, Bottje W, Nakagawa K, Miyazawa T, Akiba Y, Toyomizu M (2007) Mitochondrial oxidative damage in chicken skeletal muscle induced by acute heat stress. Poult Sci 44:439–445

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. NRC (1994) Nutrient requirements of poultry, 9th edn. National Academy Press, Washington

    Google Scholar 

  25. Ohkawa H, Ohishi N, Yagi K (1979) Assay for lipid peroxides in animal tissues by thiobarbituric acid reaction. Anal Biochem 95:351–358

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Nanari MC, Hewavitharana AK, Beca C, de Jong S (2004) Effect of dietary tocopherols and tocotrienols on the antioxidant status and lipid stability of chicken. Meat Sci 68:155–162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Ryu YC, Rhee MS, Lee MH, Lee SK, Kim BC (2006) Effects of packaging methods on the meat quality of α-tocopherol supplemented broiler chicks during refrigerated storage. Food Sci Biotechnol 15:248–253

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Sahin K, Kucuk O (2001) Effects of vitamin E and selenium on performance, digestibility of nutrients and carcass characteristics of Japanese quails reared under heat stress (34°C). J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr 85:342–348

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Sahin K, Sahin N, Onderci M, Yaralioglu S, Kucuk O (2001) Protective role of supplemental vitamin E on lipid peroxidation, vitamins E, A and some mineral concentrations of broilers reared under heat stress. Vet Med Czech 46:140–144

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Sahin K, Sahin N, Yaralioglu S, Onderci M (2002) Protective role of supplemental vitamin E and selenium on lipid peroxidation, vitamin E, vitamin A, and some mineral concentrations of Japanese quails reared under heat stress. Biol Trace Elem Res 85:59–70

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Sandercock DA, Hunter RR, Nute GR, Hocking PM, Mitchell MA (2001) Acute heat stress-induced alterations in blood acid–base status and skeletal muscle membrane integrity in broiler chickens at two ages: implications for meat quality. Poult Sci 80:418–425

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. SAS Institute (2003) SAS Users Guide. Version 9.1 reviews. SAS Institute Inc, Cary

  33. Siegel HS, van Kampen M (1984) Energy relationships in growing chickens given daily injections of corticosterone. Br Poult Sci 25:477–485

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Simoyi MF, Falkenstein E, Dyke KV, Blemings KP, Klandorf H (2003) Allantoin, the oxidation production of uric acid is present in chicken and turkey plasma. Comp Biochem Physiol B 135:325–335

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Swain BK, Johri TS, Majumdar S (2000) Effect of supplementation of vitamin E, selenium and their different combinations on the performance and immune response of broilers. Br Poult Sci 41:287–292

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Wang RR, Pan XJ, Peng ZQ (2009) Effects of heat exposure on muscle oxidation and protein functionalities of pectoralis majors in broiler. Poult Sci 88:1078–1084

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Yoon I, Werner TM, Butler JM (2007) Effect of source and concentration of selenium on growth performance and selenium retention in broiler chickens. Poult Sci 86:727–730

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Young JF, Stagsted J, Jensen SK, Karlsson AH, Henckel P (2003) Ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, and oregano supplements reduce stress-induced deterioration of chicken meat quality. Poult Sci 82:1343–1351

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Yu BP (1994) Cellular defenses against damage from reactive oxygen species. Physiol Rev 74:139–162

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Zulkifli I, Al-Aqil A, Omar AR, Sazili AQ, Rajion MA (2009) Crating and heat stress influence blood parameters and heat shock protein 70 expression in broiler chickens showing short or long tonic immobility reactions. Poult Sci 88:471–476

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Department of Animal Science, the Razi University, Kermanshah Iran for providing the research facility, and Kiadane Company, Kermanshah for providing vitamin E and Se.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shahab Ghazi Harsini.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ghazi Harsini, S., Habibiyan, M., Moeini, M.M. et al. Effects of Dietary Selenium, Vitamin E, and Their Combination on Growth, Serum Metabolites, and Antioxidant Defense System in Skeletal Muscle of Broilers Under Heat Stress. Biol Trace Elem Res 148, 322–330 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-012-9374-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-012-9374-0

Keywords

Navigation