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Effect of Different Selenium Sources on Growth Performance, Tissue Selenium Content, Meat Quality, and Selenoprotein Gene Expression in Finishing Pigs

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Abstract

Se-methylselenocysteine (MeSeCys) is a natural organic selenium (Se) supplement. However, its effects on animal nutrition are poorly understood. This study compared the effects of sodium selenite (SeNa), MeSeCys, and selenomethionine (SeMet) on immune function, tissue Se concentration, meat quality, and selenoprotein gene expression in pigs. A total of 72 finishing pigs were divided into four groups, which received a basal diet (BD, 0.1 mg Se/kg) without Se supplementation or one supplemented with SeNa, MeSeCys, or SeMet at a concentration of 0.25 mg Se/kg. Organic Se supplementation significantly increased the immune globulin A (IgA), IgG, and IgM serum levels compared with BD and SeNa groups (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in growth performance among the four groups. SeMet was more efficient in increasing Se concentrations in the heart, muscle, and liver than MeSeCys and SeNa (P < 0.05), while no statistically significant differences were observed between MeSeCys and SeNa. Se supplementation significantly decreased the pressing muscle loss compared with the BD group (P < 0.05). Meat color and pH were not significantly affected. Se supplement effects on liver selenoprotein gene mRNA level enhancement were ranked as follows: MeSeCys > SeMet > SeNa (P < 0.05). In muscle tissues, only the SELENOW mRNA level was significantly increased by the MeSeCys and SeMet treatment, compared with the SeNa group. In conclusion, SeMet was more efficient in increasing Se concentrations than MeSeCys and SeNa in pigs, while MeSeCys was more efficient in enhancing selenoprotein gene expression than SeMet and SeNa.

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Funding

This study was financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2018YFD050040001–02/03), the Special Basic Research Fund for Central Public Research Institutes (Grant No. 2018-YWF-YB-5), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31802073), Key Laboratory of Se-enriched Products Development and Quality Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Se-enriched Food Development, and the Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program (ASTIP-IAS12; CAAS-XTCX20190025-8).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China

    Kai Zhang, Qingyu Zhao, Tengfei Zhan, Yunsheng Han, Chaohua Tang & Junmin Zhang

  2. Scientific Observing and Experiment Station of Animal Genetic Resources and Nutrition in North China of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No.2, Yuanmingyuan West Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, People’s Republic of China

    Kai Zhang, Qingyu Zhao, Tengfei Zhan, Yunsheng Han, Chaohua Tang & Junmin Zhang

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  1. Kai Zhang
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  2. Qingyu Zhao
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  3. Tengfei Zhan
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  4. Yunsheng Han
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Correspondence to Chaohua Tang or Junmin Zhang.

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All of the protocols performed in this study were approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee of Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences

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Zhang, K., Zhao, Q., Zhan, T. et al. Effect of Different Selenium Sources on Growth Performance, Tissue Selenium Content, Meat Quality, and Selenoprotein Gene Expression in Finishing Pigs. Biol Trace Elem Res 196, 463–471 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-019-01949-3

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