Effect of Selenium Injection in Ovo on Hatching Outcomes and Dietary Supplementation on Liver Antioxidant Content and Development of Chukar Partridge (Alectoris Chukar) Chicks

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of in ovo selenium (Se) injection on incubation parameters and the contributions of post-hatch dietary Se supplementation to tissue Se accumulation, Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, and growth performance in Chukar partridge (Alectoris Chukar). A total of 560 hatching eggs were randomly divided into groups and injected into the amniotic fluid on the 21 st day of incubation with saline solution 30 mu l 0.5% (T2), containing either 0.4 mu g Se (T3) or 0.8 mu g Se (T4) inorganic selenium. Hatched chicks were subsequently fed diets supplemented with organic Se yeast until 14 days of age. In ovo Se administration did not adversely affect hatchability. Crucially, the total embryonic mortality was lowest in the T3 (0.4 mu g Se) group (3.39%). Post-hatch, liver and brain tissue weights were significantly different compared to the control (P < 0.05), with the T3 group exhibiting the highest weights. Se concentrations in the liver and breast muscle were also significantly different compared to the control, and the T4 (0.4 g Se) group showed the highest Se concentration. Furthermore, at the 2nd week, in hepatic and pectoral muscle Se concentrations and GPx activity were significant, with the highest values observed in the T8 (0.8 mu g -0.8 mg/kg Se) group. Although no marked differences in growth performance were evident in the short term, enhancing antioxidant capacity (GPx) and tissue Se stores may provide potential benefits against stress and disease.