Selenium and vitamin E diet inclusion for optimal reproduction performances of red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa)

Abstract

To date there is little knowledge regarding the requirements of Se and vitamin E of red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa). For this reason, in the present study four different Se and vitamin E diet inclusions have been tested. A total of 360 parents were used and randomly divided into four groups; diets were supplemented with 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 mg/kg of Se and Se to vitamin E ratio was kept approximately constant in all groups. The effects of the diets on parents’ reproduction performances and on embryos visceral organs were investigated. The best laying rate was reached with 0.4 mg/kg Se diet supplementation while the best hatching rate was reached with 0.3 mg/kg (p < 0.05). The relative weight of duodenum, jejunum and ileum in embryo was higher (p < 0.05) in the groups fed 0.4 and 0.5 mg/kg Se compared to the other groups. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were also observed for jejunum and ileum length as animals were fed the highest Se to vitamin E ratios. The number and height of villi and goblet cells density of jejunum were higher (p < 0.05) in the groups fed 0.4 and 0.5 mg/kg of Se than in the group fed 0.2 mg/kg. Epithelial buds density in the Bursa of Fabricius of embryos was significantly higher (p < 0.05) for 0.4 and 0.5 mg/kg Se supplemented groups than in the others. In conclusion our results suggest that 0.4 mg/kg of selenium and 100 mg/kg vitamin E should be included in the parents’ diet in order to optimise red-legged partridges performances.