Selenium-Enriched Probiotics Improves Antioxidant Status and Immune Function of Piglets Raised in a High-Temperature Environment

Abstract Text:

Heat stress is a detrimental factor negatively affecting animal health and performance. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of selenium-enriched probiotics (SeP) on antioxidant status and immune function of piglets raised in a high-temperature environment (25~40°C). Forty-eight crossbred weanling piglets (BW 7.9±0.5 kg), randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments (n=12), were fed ad libitum a basal diet (Con, 0.16 mg Se/kg-diet), or a basal diet supplemented with probiotics (P, 0.16 mg Se/kg-diet), sodium selenite (SS, 0.46 mg Se/kg-diet) or SeP (0.46 mg Se/kg-diet). Three piglets were randomly selected from each of the 4 groups for blood collection on days 0, 14, 28 and 42 and spleen sample collection on day 42 post-feeding. The results of blood sample analyses showed that on days 14, 28 and 42: (1) Although no difference was found between the P and Con groups in glutathione peroxidase activities, the SS group was higher (P<0.05) than the P group and the SeP group was higher (P<0.05) than the SS group. (2) Although no difference was found between the SS and P groups, both groups were higher (P<0.05) than the Con group in erythrocyte glutathione contents, and serum malondialdehyde and IL-2 contents. the SeP group was further higher (P<0.05) than the SS or P group. (3) Although there was no difference between the SS and P groups and between the SeP and SS groups in serum superoxide dismutase activities, the SeP group was higher (P<0.05) than the P group and the P group was higher (P<0.05) than the Con group. Furthermore, the analyses of the blood and spleen samples of day 42 showed that for T lymphocyte proliferation (T-cell receptor induced), although no difference was found between the SS and P groups, both groups were higher (P<0.05) than the Con group, and the SeP group was higher (P<0.05) than the SS or P group. Taken together, this study showed that the newly-developed SeP product has additive effects of P and Se, and is more effective than the P or SS used alone in improving antioxidant status and immune function of young piglets, suggesting that this product can serve as a new or better feed additive for pigs raised in high-temperature environments. This project was supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.

Keywords:

selenium-enriched probiotics, antioxidant status, immune function, pig