Effect of supplementation of vitamin E, selenium and their different combinations on the performance and immune response of broilers

1. The effect of dietary vitamin E, selenium (Se) and their different combinations on body weight gain, food consumption, food conversion efficiency, leukocyte migration inhibition and antibody production was determined in broilers. 2. Chicks were fed on maize-soya bean based diets with concentrations of supplemental vitamin E varying from 0 to 300 IU/kg and selenium concentrations varying from 0 to 1 mg/kg either alone or in combination from 1 to 42 d of age. 3. The chicks were immunised for Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) vaccine at 21 d. Per cent leukocyte migration inhibition (LMI) was studied on 42 d. Antibodies to NDV in serum were determined at 10 and 21 d post immunisation (PI). 4. Chicks receiving Se, 1 mg/kg and vitamin E 300 IU/kg had significantly higher cellular immune responses in terms of per cent LMI. 5. Maximum body weight gain and best efficiency of food utilisation were obtained in chicks fed diets containing 0.50 mg/kg Se and 300 IU/kg vitamin E. 6. Significantly higher antibody titres (HI and ELISA) at 10 d PI were attributed to 0.06 mg/kg and 150 IU/kg Se and vitamin E, respectively. 7. These data suggest that optimum growth and immune response may be achieved at supplemental level of Se of 0.06 mg/kg and vitamin E at 150 IU/kg. The vitamin E level is higher than that recommended by NRC (1984, 1994).     

Effects of dietary supplementation with vitamin C or vitamin E on cardiac lipid peroxidation and growth performance in broilers at risk of developing ascites syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To assess effects of high dietary amounts of vitamin C or vitamin E and oxidative stress on the heart and growth performance of broilers maintained at an altitude of 2,200 m above sea level. ANIMALS: 360 chicks (1-day-old broilers). PROCEDURE: Birds were randomly assigned to 3 groups (120 chicks/group). Each group of birds was fed a specific diet (control group, basal diet containing 12 mg of vitamin E (DL-alpha-tocopherol acetate)/kg of feed without additional ascorbic acid; vitamin E group, basal diet supplemented with 75 mg of vitamin E/kg of feed; and vitamin C group, basal diet supplemented with 400 mg of ascorbic acid/kg of feed) throughout the entire 7 weeks of the study. Feed consumption and body weight of chicks were recorded on a weekly basis. Nine randomly selected birds from each group were euthanatized each week. Remaining birds were euthanatized at the end of the study. Samples of cardiac tissues were obtained to measure thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), an indicator of oxidative stress. RESULTS: Vitamin E-supplemented diets resulted in better growth performance, lower rates of feed conversion, and lower TBARS content. Vitamin C-supplemented diets resulted in lower feed consumption and lower rates of feed conversion. When used separately, neither of the vitamins had any effect on mortality attributable to ascites syndrome. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: It is recommended that diets supplemented with vitamin C, vitamin E, or both be fed to broilers maintained at an altitude of 2,200 m above sea level to improve growth performance.     

硒和维生素E协同添加对肉鸡肉品质量的影响

近年来，随着人们生活水平的提高，对肉品的品质也要求越来越高。肉品质量主要由肉品的理化性质决定，肉品的化学成分与其营养价值关系密切；肉品的物理指标如颜色、持水性、嫩度和多汁性等直接影响消费者对肉品的接受程度。     

Effects of dietary vitamin K levels on bone quality in broilers.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary vitamin K (menadione) on bone quality in cage-raised broilers. Three hundred and sixty male broilers were randomly allotted to one of six treatments, with six replicate pens per treatment and 10 chicks per pen. Broilers were fed one of six diets including a control diet or the control diet plus graded levels of vitamin K (0.5 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg, 8 mg/kg, 32 mg/kg and 128 mg/kg). Water and feed were provided ad libitum during the 7-week experimental period. Results indicated that vitamin K supplementation of broilers diets significantly effected bone quality and feed efficiency. The treatment containing vitamin K at 8 mg/kg improved growth performance (during weeks 6-7) and bone quality (during weeks 0-3). In our study, hydroxyapatite binding capacity of serum osteocalcin (during weeks 0-3), bone breaking strength, bone flexibility, bone ash weight increased linearly (P < 0.05) and bone mineral density, bone mineral content increased quadratically (P < 0.05) with increasing supplementation of vitamin K. In conclusion, to gain optimum bone quality and broiler performance, our studies suggest that the concentration of vitamin K in broilers diets should be 8 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg, and 2 mg/kg, for the starter, grower and finisher phases, respectively. Furthermore, it was shown that the starter period is an important phase for improving bone quality. In addition, this study validated the mechanism of vitamin K effects on bone quality. Vitamin K boosts the carboxylation of osteocalcin and decreases the concentration of serum under-carboxylated osteocalcin enhancing hydroxyapatite binding capacity of serum osteocalcin and improving bone quality.     

Influence of vitamin E and selenium supplement on antibody production in horses

Fifteen horses used for serum production were maintained on low vitamin E and selenium diets. They were divided into four groups receiving: Group 1 no supplements, Group 2 vitamin E, Group 3 selenium and Group 4 both vitamin E and selenium. The humoral immune response to novel antigens, such as tetanus toxoid and equine influenza virus, was increased in groups receiving either vitamin E or selenium/vitamin E. No effects were recorded on the titres against Escherichia coli or the levels of immunoglobulin G.     

天然维生素E对肉仔鸡生产性能、肉品质和抗氧化性能的影响

本试验研究天然维生素E对肉仔鸡生产性能、肉品质和抗氧化性能的影响,并时其与化学合成维生素E的效果进行比较.选择480只1日龄健康罗斯308肉仔鸡,随机分为4个处理,每个处理8个重复,每个重复15只鸡,分别饲喂基础日粮(未添加维生素E)中添加天然维生素E 60、120 mg/kg和180 mg/kg以及添加化工合成维生素E 60 mg/kg的试验日粮,试验期42 d.结果表明,添加天然维生素E的各试验组与化工合成维生素E组相比,肉仔鸡全期的平均日增重、平均日采食量和饲料转化率均无显著差异(P>0.05);对肉品质的测定结果中,肌肉pH值、肉色、嫩度以及保水性也无显著影响(P>O.05);对血清谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)的影响无显著差异(P>O.05).化工合成维生素E组的丙二醛(MDA)含量极显著高于各天然维生素E组(P0.05),表明天然维生素E组提高了机体的抗氧化能力.     

Functional microRNA screening for dietary vitamin E regulation of abdominal fat deposition in broilers

ABSTRACT

1. Functional microRNA (miRNA) screening for abdominal fat tissue with different dietary vitamin E (VE) levels was performed to reveal miRNAs, genes and metabolic pathways involved in abdominal fat deposition in broilers.

2. A total of 240, one-day-old healthy female chicks were randomly allocated into five dietary treatments containing either 0, 20, 50, 75 or 100 IU DL-α-tocopherol acetate. The sequencing of miRNAs from abdominal fat tissues was performed. The target genes of miRNAs were predicted and enrichment analysis for these genes was performed. Diets supplemented with 50 IU VE significantly diminished abdominal fat deposition in broilers at day 35 of age.

3. A total of 29 miRNAs were differentially expressed between control and 50 IU VE treatment. Ten of the 23 target genes were enriched in four signalling pathways: tight junction, SNARE interactions in vesicular transport, regulation of autophagy and proteasome.

4. This study identified miRNA, target genes and pathways in dietary VE treatment for broilers, providing new insights into the miRNA regulation of abdominal fat deposition in broilers.     

硒、维生素B_2复合对不同日龄蛋鸡产蛋性能及鸡蛋中硒、维生素B_2含量影响

试验在饲料中复合添加硒、维生素B2,以144、470、640日龄的产蛋鸡为试验动物,研究日粮中添加14.4 mg/kgVB2(80%)、0.4 mg/kg的亚硒酸钠对不同日龄蛋鸡的产蛋性能及鸡蛋中硒、维生素B2含量的影响。试验选取144、470、640三种日龄的海蓝灰蛋鸡各32只,设对照组、试验组两个处理;每个处理各4个重复,每个重复4只鸡。试验结果表明:①各日龄的蛋鸡试验组与对照组相比在各种生产性能,蛋重、产蛋率、日采食量等有增加趋势,但差异不显著(P>0.05);②同一日龄的蛋鸡试验组鸡蛋中硒、维生素B2含量高于对照组鸡蛋中硒、维生素B2含量,差异显著(P<0.05);③日粮中复合添加硒、维生素B2对不同日龄的蛋鸡鸡蛋中硒、维生素B2增加量无显著性差异,未见规律性变化。     

啤酒废酵母硒对肉鸡组织硒含量的影响

本试验旨在研究啤酒废酵母硒对肉鸡组织硒含量的影响。选用225羽1日龄平均体重为(42.78±1.08)g的AA商品代肉鸡(公母混合),随机分成5组,每组3个重复,每个重复15羽,对照组日粮为以Na2SeO3形式在基础日粮中补充硒0.1mg/kg,试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组日粮为以酵母硒形式在基础日粮中补充硒0、0.1、0.2、0.3mg/kg,饲养期42d。结果表明:(1)肉鸡羽毛、肌肉和肝脏中硒的含量随着酵母硒添加量的增加和时间的延长显著提高,并表现出较强的线性关系;(2)与基础日粮组相比,酵母硒组肉鸡组织硒含量极显著增加(P0.05),以0.3mg/kg的添加量最好;硒的沉积顺序为肝脏羽毛肌肉。本试验结果提示,由啤酒废酵母制备的酵母硒可以提高肉鸡组织硒含量。     

Effects of dietary vitamin and fatty acid content in E on muscle vitamin E Aohan fine-wool sheep

Background： Increasing the polyunsaturated fatty acid （PUFA） content and decreasing the saturated fatty acid （SFA） content of mutton can help to improve its nutritional value for consumers. Several laboratories have evaluated the effects of vitamin E on the fatty acid （FA） composition of muscle in sheep. However, little information is available on wool sheep, even though wool sheep breeds are an important source of mutton, especially in northern China where sheep are extensively farmed. The present study was designed to address the effects of vitamin E on muscle FA composition in male Aohan fine-wool sheep. Methods： Forty-two male Aohan fine-wool lambs （5 mo old） with similar initial body weight were randomly divided into seven groups and fed diets supplemented with 0 （control group）, 20, 100, 200, 1,000, 2,000, or 2,400 IU/sheep/d vitamin E for 12 mo. Three lambs from each group were slaughtered to measure vitamin E and FA content in the Iongissimus lumborum （LL） and gluteus medius （GM） muscles. Results： Vitamin E concentrations in the LL and GM increased significantly after 12 mo of vitamin E supplementation （P 〈 0.05）. However, this increase did not occur in a dose-dependent manner because the muscle vitamin E concentration was highest in the 200 IU/sheep/d group. Dietary vitamin E supplementation also caused a significant reduction in SFA content and an increase in monounsaturated FA （MUFA） content in the LL and GM （P 〈 0.05）. All six doses of vitamin E significantly increased cis9 tronsl -conjugated linoleic acid （cgtl -CLA） content in the LL compared with the control group （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusions： Dietary supplementation with vitamin E increased muscle vitamin E content and improved the nutritional value of mutton by decreasing SFA content and increasing MUFA and c9tl 1-CLA contents in Aohan fine-wool sheep. These effects were greatest in sheep fed a diet containing 200 IU/sheep/d vitamin E.     

Porcine immunoglobulin transfer after prepartum treatment with selenium or vitamin E

Responses to prepartum injection of sows with Se and vitamin E (E) were evaluated by determining immunoglobulin (IgA, IgM, IgG) levels in the colostrum and serum of the sows and the serum of their offspring. Fifty-four sows (40 multiparous, 14 primiparous) receiving diets adequate in E and Se according to current NRC (1988) standards were randomly allotted to four treatment groups in which a single i.m. injection of saline (controls), 5 mg of Se, 1,000 IU of E, or both Se and E were given on d 100 of gestation. Sows were bled prior to and 7 d after injection, at farrowing and on d 14 and 28 of lactation. Colostral samples were collected at the initiation of farrowing. Pigs were bled 20 h postpartum and at 14 and 28 d of age. Major immunoglobulin changes in the serum of the sows due to treatment were not seen prior to parturition. Injections of Se and(or) E resulted in higher colostral IgM levels (8.4, 10.7, 9.8 and 9.6 mg/ml, respectively), but only the response from Se was significant (P less than .05). Concentrations of colostral IgA or IgG were not affected by treatment (P greater than .30). Compared with controls, all three treatments increased (P less than .10) IgM concentrations in serum from pigs at birth (28.3, 33.3, 36.0 and 33.5 mg/ml, respectively), whereas IgA and IgG concentrations were not affected (P greater than .30).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Efficacy of vitamin E + selenium and vitamin A + D + E combinations on oxidative stress induced by long-term transportation in Holstein dairy cows

The aim of this study was to evaluate the stress response to long-term transportation and to analyze the effects of vitamin A + D + E and vitamin E + selenium administrations on oxidative stress induced by long-term transportation in Holstein dairy cows. Control group (n = 10) received 0.9% saline (placebo), Group I (n = 10) received vitamin A + D + E, and Group II (n = 10) received vitamin E + selenium. After the transport, adrenaline levels were high in all groups (P < 0.05). Noradrenaline level was low in Group I (P < 0.05) and tended to be low in Group II. Mean levels of serum cortisol decreased significantly in all groups (P < 0.05) when comparing pre-transport data with post-transport data. Glucose levels increased in Control group (P < 0.05) and in Groups I and II (P < 0.01). The malondialdehyde level significantly increased in the Control group (P < 0.05) after the transport and the levels were lower in Group I (P = 0.076) and Group II (P < 0.05) than in the Control group. As a result, vitamin E + selenium and vitamin A + D + E have been determined to prevent lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress, associated with long-term transportation stress in cattle.     

Selenium and vitamin E deficiency in pigs. II. Influence on plasma selenium, vitamin E, ASAT and ALAT and on tissue selenium.

The effect of dietary selenium (Se) and vitamin E (Vit. E) in pigs on Se and Vit. E in plasma and on Se in tissue from liver, heart, m. long, dorsi and m. psoas major was studied; and furthermore was the influence on the enzymes ASAT and ALAT studied.Two levels of Se were used, 0.03 and 0.06 mg Se per kg feed. Within each Se level 2 levels of Vit. E were used, 15 and 45 i. u. per kg feed. This resulted in 4 groups: 1. low Se and low Vit. E; 2. low Se and high Vit. E; 3. high Se and low Vit. E; 4. high Se and high Vit. E.Ten% of all pigs fed low Se, and 4% of the pigs fed low Se and high Vit. E diet died with severe symptoms of Se deficiency. None of the pigs fed the high Se diet died with such symptoms. Plasma Se determinations have been shown to indicate the Se status in pigs almost as accurately as liver Se determination. ASAT and ALAT enzyme determinations were not of any diagnostic value.There was a good agreement between dietary Vit. E level and the corresponding levels in plasma. Oxidized herring oil seems to enhance the Vit. E need.     

大豆寡糖对肉仔鸡生长性能的影响

在玉米-大豆浓缩蛋白型低寡糖基础日粮中分别添加0%、0．5%、1．00％或2．00％的大豆寡糖（水苏糖含量为83．7％）,研究了不同添加量大豆寡糖对肉仔鸡生长性能的影响。选用192只1日龄AA肉公鸡,随机分成4个处理组,每个处理设6个笼（重复）,每笼8只鸡。结果表明：大豆寡糖对肉仔鸡生长性能的影响存在剂量反应关系,低剂量表现为促进作用,高剂量则表现为抑制作用;而且生长前期剂量反应程度强于生长后期。添加0．50％大豆寡糖,使1～21日龄生长阶段肉仔鸡的ADG比对照组显著提高了6．16％（P〈0．05）;使22～42日龄、1～42日龄的ADG和1～21日龄、22～42日龄、1～42日龄的ADFI有增加的趋势,但差异不显著（P〉0．05）;添加1．00％大豆寡糖,使22～42日龄、1～42日龄肉仔鸡的ADG和22～42日龄、1～42日龄的ADFI及F／G有增加的趋势,使1～21日龄的ADG和ADFI有降低的趋势,但差异不显著（P〉0．05）;添加2．00％大豆寡糖,使1～21日龄、1～42日龄的ADG显著降低了11．13％和5．75％（P〈0．05）,1～21日龄的F/G显著增加了8．67%（P〈0．05）;22～42日龄的ADG和1～21日龄、22～42日龄、1～42日龄的ADFI有下降的趋势,22～42日龄、1～42日龄的F／G有增加的趋势,但差异不显著（P〉0．05）。     

Enhancement of ovine lymphocyte responses: a comparison of selenium and vitamin E supplementation

Lymphocytes of lambs on a low selenium/vitamin E diet were isolated from peripheral blood, and mitogenic responses to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) tested in the presence of different doses of sodium selenite and emulsified vitamin E added in vitro. An enhancing effect of selenium was observed at doses of 1 ng/ml or less, and reached a plateau at about 10 ng/ml. Toxic effects were evident beyond 1 micrograms/ml. The stimulatory potential of selenium among lambs was inversely related to their ability to respond to PHA in control cultures but was not related to the blood glutathione peroxidase activity of the animals concerned. Optimal doses of vitamin E added to culture (0.15-1.5 micrograms/ml) elevated responses beyond those seen with selenium, but synergistic effects were not apparent. Similar results were obtained when lymphocytes from deficient, myopathic lambs were cultured with serum from lambs supplemented in vivo, and when PHA responses of untreated and treated lambs were compared. Tests with other phytolectins (concanavalin A and pokeweed mitogen) suggested that the two micronutrients exert a differential influence on lymphocyte sub-populations. It was also concluded that the poor lymphocyte responses seen in myopathic lambs can be readily and rapidly reversed by injection of these nutrients, and that prophylaxis is most effective during the first 6 weeks of life.     

日粮维生素A水平对肉鸡组织CaBP基因表达影响的研究

采用完全随机试验设计,将192只8日龄健康AA雄性肉鸡称重后随机分为4个处理组,每处理组6个重复,每个重复8只。在以玉米和豆粕为主要原料的基础日粮中分别添加VA1500,3000,15000和45000U/kg构成试验日粮,试验期5周。应用SYBR GreenI实时定量RT-PCR技术测定肉鸡胫骨、十二指肠组织中CaBP基因表达量,研究不同VA水平对肉鸡组织CaBP基因表达的影响。结果表明:随着日粮VA添加量的增加,十二指肠CaBP基因表达降低,当VA水平增加至15000,45000U/kg时,CaBP基因表达量有降低趋势(P>0.05),其中以45000U/kg添加组的CaBP基因表达量最低。虽然日粮VA水平对肉鸡胫骨组织中CaBP基因的表达影响较小,但当添加水平为45000U/kg时胫骨组织中CaBP基因表达量有降低的趋势。说明过量VA对骨骼代谢影响的机制之一是过量VA降低了与钙、磷代谢有关的CaBP的基因表达,进而影响钙、磷代谢和骨骼发育。     

Effects of dietary vitamin E on immunological stress of layers and their offspring

In the present study, two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of vitamin E (VE) supplementation of a commercial layer diet on the laying performance and immunological stress responses of hens and their offspring. In experiment 1, responses to increased dietary VE levels were evaluated on 180 White Leghorn layers between 20 and 35 weeks of age. There were three levels of VE in the diets (0, 40 and 100 IU/kg) and five replicates per treatment, each containing 12 hens. Results showed that the high level of VE supplementation (100 IU/kg) had a beneficial effect on feed intake and feed efficiency of hens (p < 0.05), compared with the VE-deficient or low-level group. In experiment 2, 540 female progeny from the VE-treated hens in experiment 1 were used. The experimental design consisted of three levels of VE supplementation (the same as their mothers') × 3 vaccinating routines, the first vaccination being administered on day 5, 8 or 11. All vaccines and the subsequent vaccinating intervals were identical. In the interim of the experiment, each bird was injected celiacly with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The results showed that antibody titres against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) or avian influenza virus (AIV) and the plasma concentration of interleukin (IL)-1 were increased by the high level of VE supplementation. There were significant effects of the day of initial immunization with infection bursal disease on the NDV and AIV antibody titre, H/L ratio and plasma concentration of corticosterone and IL-1 before and after injecting LPS, suggesting the occurrence of immunological stress. There was also significant interaction between VE and vaccination routine on the immune functions of experimental birds. Considered together with the results of experiment 1, VEs biological function appeared to be dose-dependent, especially with regard to its positive effect on the immune responses of young chickens.     

Interactions of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E with regard to vitamin E status,fat composition and antibody responsiveness in layer hens

1. Effects of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and vitamin E (VE) on an immune response may interact because VE may protect PUFA from in vivo oxidation. The present study was designed to study the presence of such an interaction in growing layer chickens. 2. Three dietary concentration of linoleic acid (LA, 3.3, 6.6 and 10%), in combination with 4 concentration of dietary VE (5, 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg) were used. Effects of LA and VE on circulating VE concentration, fatty acid composition of bursal and adipose fat, and antibody kinetics against keyhole limpet hemocyanin and Mycobacterim butyricum were established. 3. At high dietary LA concentration, bursal and adipose LA were higher but bursal arachidonic acid and long chain n-3 PUFA decreased. The dietary VE level did not consistently affect the deposition of PUFA in tissue. Plasma VE concentrations were affected by the dietary VE and LA content, but not by their interaction. Antibody responses before and 7 d after immunisation were affected by the dietary treatments. Antibody concentration were not affected by tissue fatty acid content. 4. In conclusion, the interaction effects of dietary PUFA and VE on fat deposition and immune responses are of minor importance compared to separate PUFA and VE effects. This implies that, within the studied range, adding extra VE to preserve or affect the effects of dietary PUFA on antibody responsiveness is unnecessary.