The effects of different selenium sources on semen quality of aged broilers under lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stress

Selenium, a vital element in the body, plays a crucial role in the functioning of enzymes related to antioxidant defense, fertility, and the immune system. This study seeks to explore how various selenium sources impact the semen quality of aging broilers under lipopolysaccharide stress (LPS). A 2×3 factorial experiment involved 96 Ross 308 strain roosters at 45 weeks of age, organized into four replications of three birds each. The experiment included three selenium sources: mineral selenium (sodium selenite), organic selenium, and nano-bio chelate of selenium, added to the diet. Semen was assessed before LPS injection and after the final LPS injection at the experiment's conclusion. Evaluation indicators comprised malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in semen, total oxidative capacity, glutathione peroxidase activity in semen, and testosterone levels in blood plasma. Statistical analysis utilized SAS 9.4 through GLM or MIXED procedures.The total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase activity levels exhibited variations among the groups. Specifically, in the LPS-receiving group, the control group demonstrated significantly lower total antioxidant capacity compared to the Selmax and Bendacel groups that received PBS. Additionally, the control group exhibited lower glutathione peroxidase activity compared to the Selmax group that received PBS, although no differences were observed between this group and others. Moreover, the Selmax group that received PBS displayed the lowest amount of MDA, a significant difference from the control and sodium selenite groups that received LPS. Notably, the testosterone concentration in birds that received Bendacel and sodium selenite, and were challenged with PBS, was significantly higher than in birds that received LPS without any source of selenium. The study demonstrated that using organic selenium from Selmax and Bendacel sources has the potential to enhance the reproductive performance of aged roosters, mitigating the adverse effects of aging. Notably, the effective addition of 0.30 mg/kg of organic selenium emerged as a positive intervention in improving reproductive outcomes in the study's context.