The Effects of In Ovo Feeding of Selenized Glucose on Selenium Concentration and Antioxidant Capacity of Breast Muscle in Neonatal Broilers

This study aims to investigate the impacts of in ovo feeding (IOF) of selenized glucose (SeGlu) on selenium (Se) level and antioxidant capacity of breast muscle in newborn broilers. After candling on 16 day of incubation, a total of 450 eggs were randomly divided into three treatments. On the 17.5th day of incubation, eggs in a control treatment were injected with 0.1 mL of physiological saline (0.75%), while the 2nd group and 3rd group were supplied with 0.1 mL of physiological saline containing 10 μg Se from SeGlu (SeGlu 10 group) and 20 μg Se from SeGlu (SeGlu 20 group). The results showed that in ovo injection in both SeGlu 10 and SeGlu 20 increased the Se level and reduced glutathione concentration (GSH) in pectoral muscle of hatchlings ( P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the SeGlu 20 -treated chicks significantly enhanced the activity of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and mRNA expression of NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 ( NQO1 ) in breast muscle, while there was upregulation in mRNA expressions of glutathione peroxidase 1 ( GPX-1 ) and thioredoxin reductase 1 ( TrxR1 ) and higher total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in SeGlu 10 treatment ( P < 0.05). However, no significant difference on enzyme activities of glutathione peroxidase (GR), glutathione reductase, thioredoxin reductase, concentration of malondialdehyde, and free radical scavenging ability (FRSA) of superoxide radical (O 2 −• ) and hydroxyl radical (OH • ) was observed among the three treatments ( P > 0.05). Therefore, IOF of SeGlu enhanced Se deposition in breast muscle of neonatal broilers. In addition, in ovo injection of SeGlu could increase the antioxidant capacity of newborn chicks possibly through upregulating the mRNA expression of GPX1 , TrxR1 , and NQO1 , as well as the SOD activity.