Comparison of selenium levels and sources on laying hens performance and eggs quality: A meta-analysis

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the influence of dietary levels Selenium (Se) organic and inorganic on the performance and egg quality of laying hen by employing a meta-analysis method. A database was built from published studies that have reported on the addition of various levels of Se laying hen diets and then monitored performance and egg quality. A total of 14 articles were integrated into the database. Several forms of selenium were applied in the form of organic and inorganic. The database compiled was statistically analyzed using a mixed model methodology. Different studies were considered as random effects, and the doses of selenium were treated as fixed effects. The model statistics used were the p-values and the Akaike information criterion. The significance of an effect was stated when its p-value was <0.05. The result of this study organic and inorganic dietary Se had a significant effect on the weight of laying hens (P<0.05). The mortality rate was decreased (P<0.05) with the dietary of organic and inorganic Se. Se-in eggs increased (P<0.1) with selenium addition. Se level increased (linear pattern and quadratic patterns; P<0.05) the weight of the eggs. Se level decreased the feed conversion ratio (FCR) (linear pattern and quadratic pattern; P<0.05). Increasing the dose of Se decreases eggshell thickness (linear pattern; P<0.05). It is concluded that dietary selenium improves the performance and egg quality of laying hens.