RESUMO
The present study was conducted to assess effects of selenium (Se)-yeast supplementation on glutathione peroxidase activity, Se levels in tissues, growth performance, carcass, and meat composition in broilers. A total of 275 one-d-old Cobb 500 broilers of both sexes were randomly allotted to 1 of 5 treatments during a 42-d period. The 5 treatments differed only in Se content: group 1 had no additional Se (background only); groups 2, 3, and 4 received 0.3 mg/kg of added Se from the beginning of the trial until d 21, whereas in the second half of the study (from d 22 to 42), these groups received 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 mg/kg of added Se, respectively; and group 5 received 0.9 mg/kg of Se for the entire experimental period. At the end of the study, the control group showed significantly lower (P < 0.01) glutathione peroxidase activity in blood plasma compared to Se-supplemented groups. Regarding Se concentration in various tissues, the groups receiving Se yeast showed higher plasma, feces, and meat Se contents than the control group (P < 0.01). Supplementation of Se improved broilers' body weight, weight gain and feed conversion ratio (P < 0.01). Dressing percentage was lower in the control group and the group with 0.3 mg/kg of added Se compared to other experimental groups (0.6 and 0.9 mg/kg of dietary Se). The proportion of less valuable carcass parts (wings and legs) was higher (P < 0.01) in the group fed the basal diet compared to groups supplemented with 0.9 mg/kg of Se. Initial and ultimate pH values differed among experimental groups (P < 0.05). Supplementation of Se improved the broiler's antioxidative resistance, growth performance, carcass quality, and chemical composition of meat.
