1Department of Animal Nutrition
2Department of Poultry Production, Faculty of Animal Production and Technology , University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Ravi Campus, Lahore-54000, Pakistan
Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Production and Technology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Ravi Campus, Lahore-54000, Pakistan
*Corresponding author's e-mail: doctorwsi639@gmail.com
Online published on 7 May, 2018.
Selenium was believed to be toxic to animals, however, in 1957, selenium was reported as a dietary vital nutrient. Selenium is available in inorganic and organic forms. In 1974, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated the supplementation of selenium in poultry diets. In 1994, the National Research Council recognized selenium as a dietary essential nutrient for laying hens. The maximum allowed selenium addition level is 0.30 mg/kg. One of the most common supplements used is sodium selenite (SS), the inorganic selenium source. However, in 2000, the FDA approved the use of the organic source of selenium, Se-enriched yeast (SY) in poultry diets. Selenium has valuable effects on animal immune status, growth parameters, production and reproduction. Experimentally, it has been indicated that SY benefits more than that of SS due to its more bioavailability. Selenium inclusion in food-animal diets has an extra nutritional advantage to human consumers of Seenriched food-animal products.
Se-enriched yeast, Sodium selenite, Nutrient utilization, Growth, Production performance, Egg quality, Functional foods, Hatching characteristics
