Selenium and vitamin E in sow diets: II. Effect on selenium status and antioxidant status of the progeny

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of 2 selenium (Se) sources and 2 vitamin E (VE) levels in gestating and lactating diets of sows on Se status and antioxidant status of their progenies at farrowing and 21-d postpartum. The study was conducted in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of Se sources (0.30 mg/kg diet of sodium selenite or Se-enriched yeast) and VE levels (30 or 90 IU/kg diet). A total of 234 multiparous sows were bred and started on 1 of 4 dietary treatment according to parity and body condition, and then maintained on feed until 21-d postpartum. At farrowing and at weaning, 8 piglets per treatment (1 piglet/litter) were selected on similar body weight and sampled to ensure 6 piglet samples per treatment. The Se content was determined in serum, whole blood, umbilical cord blood and tissues, whereas antioxidant status of liver and serum were determined by analyzing the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. The newly-born piglets from sows fed organic Se had higher Se contents in kidney (P < 0.05) and loin (P < 0.10), higher serum T-AOC (P < 0.05) and SOD activity (P < 0.05), lower serum MDA content (P < 0.05), and higher hepatic T-AOC (P < 0.05), and GSH content (P < 0.05) than newborns from sows fed inorganic Se. The 21-d-old nursery piglets from sows fed organic Se have higher Se contents in heart (P < 0.10), pancreas (P < 0.05), thymus gland (P < 0.05), thyroid and loin (P < 0.05), higher serum GSH content (P < 0.05), lower serum MDA content (P < 0.05), and higher hepatic T-AOC (P < 0.05) and GSH content (P < 0.05), and greater SOD activity (P < 0.10), than 21-d-old piglets from sows fed inorganic Se. No source × VE level interaction was evident for Se status and antioxidant status of the progeny (P > 0.05) expect for hepatic Se content of newborns and serum Se content of 21-d-old piglets (P < 0.05). The α-tocopherol level in serum of newborn and weaning piglets increased when sows fed elevated VE diet (P < 0.05). In summary, Se status and antioxidant status of the progeny including newborns and 21-d-old nursery piglets were improved when Se was added as organic Se instead of inorganic Se in sow diet. However, the Se status and antioxidant status of the progeny were scarcely unaffected by maternal dietary Se source × VE level interaction. When sows were fed the treatment diets from breeding until weaning, sows fed organic Se had more weaned piglets with similar individual pig weight at weaning compared with sows fed inorganic Se.