Comparison of toxic effects of dietary organic or inorganic selenium and prediction of selenium intake and tissue selenium concentrations in broiler chickens using feather selenium concentrations.

The present experiment aimed to compare toxic effects of dietary organic or inorganic selenium (Se) and to predict of Se intake and tissue Se concentrations in broiler chickens based on feather Se concentrations. A total of four hundred twenty 7-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chicks were allotted to 1 of 7 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. Each treatment had 6 replicates with 10 birds per replicate. Organic Se (selenium yeast) or inorganic Se (sodium selenite) was added to the basal diet at the levels of 5, 10, or 15 mg/kg Se. All experimental diets were fed to birds on an ad libitum basis for 28 d. Results indicated that a significant interaction (P < 0.01) was observed between Se sources and inclusion levels for the BW gain and feed intake of broiler chickens with inorganic Se at 15 mg/kg in diets showing a greatest negative effect. Increasing inclusion levels of Se in diets increased (linear, P < 0.01) plasma concentrations of uric acid. Increasing inclusion levels of Se in diets increased (linear, P < 0.01) relative liver weight. No significant interactions were observed between Se sources and inclusion levels in diets on hepatic antioxidant capacity. Increasing inclusion levels of Se in diets increased (linear, P < 0.01) Se concentrations in the liver, breast, and feather. The concentrations of Se in the breast, liver, and feather were greater (P < 0.05) for organic Se than for inorganic Se in diets. The toxic levels of organic or inorganic Se in broiler diets were near 7 or 9 mg/kg based on the BW gain, respectively. The prediction equations indicate that feather Se concentrations in broiler chickens can be used to predict both daily Se intake and Se concentrations in the liver and breast.