Dietary incorporation of feedstuffs naturally high in organic selenium for racing pigeons (Columba livia): effects on plasma antioxidant markers after a standardised simulation of a flying effort

in Journal of Animal Physiology & Animal Nutrition (2009), 93

Selenium is a trace element of importance for animal health. It is essential for adequate functioning of many enzymes such as, the antioxidant enzyme, glutathione peroxidase, which protects the cell ... [more ▼]

Selenium is a trace element of importance for animal health. It is essential for adequate functioning of many enzymes such as, the antioxidant enzyme, glutathione peroxidase, which protects the cell against free radicals. A muscular effort induces a rise in reactive oxygen species production which, in turn, can generate an oxidative stress. Two groups of eight racing pigeons were fed respectively with a diet containing 30.3 (control group) and 195.3 (selenium group) lg selenium/kg diet. The pigeons were submitted to a standardised simulation of a flying effort during 2 h. Blood was taken before and after the effort to measure antioxidant markers and blood parameters related to muscle metabolism. Plasma selenium concentration and glutathione peroxidase activity were significantly higher in the selenium group. There were no significant differences for the other measured parameters. As a consequence of the effort, the pigeons of the selenium group showed a higher increase of glutathione peroxidase activity and a smaller increase of plasma lactate concentration. Variations because of the effort in the other markers were not significantly different between the two groups. It is concluded that the selenium status was improved with the feeding of feedstuffs high in Selenium. [less ▲]

Teaching and exercising companion animal nutrition: what do our students need ?

in Mussa, P. P.; Nery, J.; Schiavone, A. (Eds.) et al Congress Proceedings 13t h Congress of the ESVCN (2009)

Le sélénium dans la reproduction des oiseaux

in Annales de Médecine Vétérinaire (2006), 150(4), 203-211

Selenium is a trace element of importance for antioxidant defence in birds. It is essential for the correct selenoprotein functions implicated in many physiological processes. So, glutathione peroxidase ... [more ▼]

Selenium is a trace element of importance for antioxidant defence in birds. It is essential for the correct selenoprotein functions implicated in many physiological processes. So, glutathione peroxidase plays a central role in the antioxidant defence of the cells owing to its capacity to eliminate free radicals and to the sparing effect on other cell antioxidants. Embryo tissues and spermatozoa are particularly sensitive to oxidative attacks due to their high content in polyunsaturated fatty acids. They require thus an efficient antioxidant system during the reproduction period. A dietary selenium deficiency results in many reproduction disorders, such as, decreases of fertility and of hatchability of fertile eggs. On the other hand, excess of selenium is toxic. There is, however, a large difference between toxic dose and minimal requirements for adequate reproduction processes. Dietary selenium supplementation is thus considered as a major measure to improve reproduction parameters. [less ▲]

Effects of selenium enriched fertilizers on Se content in feedstuffs and on the selenium status in a beef cattle herd

in Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science (2006)

Variations des teneurs en sélénium dans les aliments pour bovins et statut en sélénium chez l'animal

in 12ièmes Rencontres autour des Recherches sur les Ruminants (2005)

Selenium and blood antioxydant markers in two groups of suckling cows offered grass silage, maize silage and barely grown with fertilizer containing or not selenium

in 9th Congress of the European Society of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition (2005)