EFFECT OF DIETARY SELENIUM FORMS ON SELENIUM BLOOD CONCENTRATION IN LAYING HENS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of inorganic and organic selenium in the diets on its concentrations in blood of laying hens. 12 ISA Brown laying hens kept conventional housing were used. Group A (six hens in group) received during whole laying period (22 - 75 week of age) selenium as a Na2SeO3 (0.8 mg.kg-1) in the diet. Group B (six hens in group) received in the diet organic forms of selenium Sel-plex (0.8 mg.kg-1).The blood was sampled at 22, 47 and 75 week of age. The selenium concentrations in whole blood were measured. The level of selenium in blood decreased in both group (A 251.6 ± 15.1 µg.l-1, B 240.6 ± 21.6 µg.l-1) from the beginning of the experiment to 47week of age. Selenium concentration increased from week 47 to end of experiment in group B from 150.0 ± 11.9 µg.l-1 to 156.9 ± 14.8 µg.l-1, contrary to group A, in which selenium blood level decreased from 147.7 ± 11.2 µg.l-1 to 133.7 ± 9.6 µg.l-1. No significant differences were found between the groups during all period of experiment.