Synergistic effect of Spirulina platensis and selenium nanoparticles on growth performance, serum metabolites, immune responses, and antioxidant capacity of heat-stressed broiler chickens

Effects of Selenium as a Dietary Source on Performance, Inflammation, Cell Damage, and Reproduction of Livestock Induced by Heat Stress: A Review

“…Supplementing nano-Se in the diet of rabbits suffering severe heat stress can significantly improve their growth performance ( 56 , 57 ), and dietary supplementation of Se and VE can significantly alleviate weight loss in heat-stressed sheep and improve their feed conversion efficiency ( 58 ). Such effects are owing to the following factors: (I) Se can improve feed utilization by regulating the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins ( 59 ); (II) Se can improve the antioxidant status of animals, reduce oxidative stress induced by heat stress, and reduce the inflammatory response, thereby promoting growth performance; (III) Se can enhance the ability of livestock to regulate their body temperature (for example, dietary Se significantly inhibits rectal temperature increase in sheep ( 60 ), lactating cows ( 61 ), and growing pigs ( 62 ) affected by heat stress; (IV) Se can maintain and improve growth performance by reducing the adverse effects of heat stress on skeletal muscle ( 63 ).…”

“…In addition, changes in blood pH can impair immune function and hormonal activity ( 154 ). Heat stress seriously damages the growth performance and immunity of livestock, but dietary Se supplementation has been shown to improve immune response in heat stressed broilers ( 63 , 74 ); Se also supports the immune systems production of inflammation-related enzymes to kill pathogens ( 155 ). As mentioned before, heat stress can lead to oxidative stress, including inflammation ( 156 , 157 ), the first line defense in all forms of cell damage, leading to removal of cell damage, and initiation of cell repair.…”

“…Abdel-Moneim et al. ( 63 ) supplemented heat-stressed broilers with Se and the levels of immunoglobulins in broilers were notably increased. Moreover, the study found that the addition of dietary Se prevented the up-regulation of six inflammation-related genes induced by heat stress (IL-6, IL-8, intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1, interferon-β, and inducible nitric oxide synthase-2), reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in porcine small intestinal epithelial (IPEC-J2) cells under heat stress, and effectively alleviated the adverse effects of acute heat stress on the expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ, thereby reducing immune dysfunction ( 174 ).…”

Managing Gut Microbiota through In Ovo Nutrition Influences Early-Life Programming in Broiler Chickens

“…The period of embryonic and immediate post-hatching development is approaches 50% of the productive life of broilers [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Under commercial conditions, birds have access to feed 36–72 h after hatching, leading to delays in the development and maturation of muscle, the immune system, and the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) [ 3 , 4 , 5 ].…”

“…A broad use of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics has taken place over the last decade as natural bioactive compounds. Several kinds of water-soluble bioactive compounds have been utilized in animal diets with many benefits [ 1 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ]. In ovo technology, through which a tiny quantity of material is injected into the bird’s egg/embryo during incubation, offers a novel alternative for delivering bioactive compounds to the chick embryo before hatching.…”