Introduction: Factors affecting hatchability are mentioned as important indicators in breeder flocks’ performance, one of these elements is fertility. Roosters’ as half part of fertility have great role and aging reduces their fertility. The biologic system in live organisms such as animals is under permanent attack due to natural consequence of the body’s normal metabolic activity that produces free radicals. It has been revealed that phospholipid fraction of avian spermatozoa membranes has high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and it is the reason why the spermatozoa are susceptible to free radical attack. During evolution, to deal with Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), living organisms have developed specific antioxidant protective mechanisms. Therefore, as a major factor, presence of natural antioxidants in living organisms enables their survival in an oxygen-rich environment. To maintain sperm fertilizing ability, an antioxidant defense system is a crucial point. In avian semen the antioxidant system consists of natural antioxidants together with enzymes that have antioxidant characteristics such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and selenoprotein P (SEPP1) protects sperm against free radicals and their destructive metabolites. Antioxidants such as vitamin E and selenium (Se) have remarkable roles in avian reproduction. To gain gross reproductive performances in commercial poultry, supplementation of antioxidant at an optimum level is thought to be necessary. By using additives such as selenium we can help delaying this reduction through antioxidant properties of Se. Replacing inorganic Se by new types of Se sources like the nano form in poultry diet improves fertility. This research was conducted to investigate the effect of Nano-Selenium (Nano-Se) in comparison with sodium selenite on serum selenoprotein p (SEPP1) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) content in broiler breeder roosters.Material and Method: In the present study, a total of thirty Arbor Acres Broiler Breeder roosters (40 weeks old) were randomly divided into five experimental groups. Each of which included 3 replicates of 2 birds. Relevant catalog recommended distribution of 160 gr of diet per rooster per day for broiler breeder males. After one-week adaptation they were fed with the basal diet (T1) supplemented with 0.3 mg/kg Sodium Selenite (T2), 0.15 mg/kg nano-Se (T3), 0.3 mg/kg nano-Se (T4) and 0.6 mg/kg nano-Se (T5). The duration of feeding experiment was four weeks. At the end of adaptation week, blood samples were collected (2.5 ml) and after separating the serum, they were stored in -20°C refrigerator. Another sampling was two weeks later in the middle of experiment that again blood samples were collected and their serum were stored at -20°C. Four weeks after the treatment was done at the end of experiment, the roosters were humanely euthanized by cervical dislocation, the 3rd and last sampling was implemented at the end of experiment that as in the previous sampling was done, the blood samples were centrifuged and separated serum was stored in -20°C. Then serum concentration of the antioxidant “SEPP1” was measured by ELISA method and “GPx” was analyzed using a spectrophotometry kit.Results and discussion: The values of SEPP1 and GPx serum concentration obtained at the first time sampling showed no significant differences between all groups (P < 0.05). Serum SEPP1 concentration examination in the second sampling showed that roosters fed with both mineral and nano form of selenium supplements, had significantly higher concentrations of selenoprotein P in their serum, compared to the control group (P < 0.05) which the highest concentration was related to the treatment of 0.6 mg/kg nano-Se (T5) in their diet. Among the two groups of treatment 2 and treatment 3, which were fed 0.3 mg/kg sodium selenite (T2) and 0.15 mg/kg nano-Se (T3), respectively, treatment 3 had higher concentration. The results of examining the SEPP1 serum concentration for the final time at the end of the study indicated that there is a process similar to the trend of changes in the serum concentration of selenoprotein P that was seen in the second sampling step. The only difference observed in serum concentration results of the second sampling compared to third time was that the difference between the T2 and T3 treatments was greater in the last sampling. Simultaneously with SEPP1 analysis, serum glutathione peroxidase concentration was measured in three sampling times. At the second time sampling of serum GPx concentration, evaluation of the serum concentration of glutathione peroxidase revealed that the serum concentrations of this selenoprotein in broiler breeder roosters in groups T5, T4, T3 and T2 were significantly (P < 0.05) higher relative to its concentration in control group (T1). The difference between serum concentration of control group and T3 treatment was not significant (P < 0.05), also the difference in serum concentration of this selenoprotein between treatments T4 and T5 was not significant (P < 0.05). At the end of the study, after the third sampling and evaluation, the results of GPx serum concentrations revealed that all treatments showed a significant increase compared to the control group (P < 0.05) and with increasing the amount of nano-Se in the diet from 0.15 mg/kg to 0.6 mg/kg nano-Se, serum concentrations of glutathione peroxidase showed an increasing trend. Based on a consideration of all experiment indexes, in this research 0.6 mg/kg is suggested to be the best level of supplementation of nano-Se, and nano-Se showed higher contents of serum SEPP1 and GPx at the same amounts of nano-Se and sodium selenite supplementation. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of nano-Se was more effective than sodium selenite on serum SEPP1 and GPx concentration of tested selenoproteins in broiler breeder males.

In order to investigate the effect of inorganic selenium replacement with organic selenium from Spirulina algae on performance and breast meat quality of broilers, a total of 160 one-day-old chicks were used in a completely randomized design with four treatments, eight replicates and five birds per each replicate. The sources of selenium used included sodium selenite and organic selenium from Spirulina algae which were replaced at two levels of 50 and 100 percent. The organic selenium was produced by the culture of Spirulina algae and its enrichment with selenium. The selenium content of different treatments was measured by ICP-Mass method. In this experiment, the feed intake and body weight gain parameters were measured weekly and feed conversion ratio was calculated. At 42 day of age, one bird was slaughtered from each replicate and the weight of carcass ready to cook was measured. The breast meat was sampled for measurement of pH and selenium storage. The results showed that it was not observed any significant difference in performance traits and ready to cook carcass percentage among different treatments. There was no significant difference in breast muscle pH at 0 and 24 hours after slaughtering. The amount of selenium deposited in breast muscle of birds fed organic selenium had significant increase when compared with other treatments (P<0.05). Generally, the results of this study showed that 100% replacement of sodium selenite with organic selenium from Spirulina algae led to increase in breast muscle selenium deposition without reduction in bird performance.

The development of nanotechnology has been a boon to mankind as its significance paved the way for several applications in therapeutics. This study was to evaluate the an ti-arthritic capability of nano Selenium-lovastatin mixture (Lov-Se) against inflammatory cascade in arthritic irradiated rats.Materials and Methods: Animal model of Arthritis was organized by subcutaneous injection of Complete Freund’s adjuvant; CFA. Rats were exposed to g-radiation (2Gy every 3 days up to total dose of 8 Gy). Lov-Se (1ml ≈20 mg kg−1 day-1 Lov and 0.1 mg kg−1 day−1 Se) was administrated by daily oral injection. The an tioxidant parameters (heart glutathione peroxides; GSH-Px, catalase; CAT, superoxide dismutase; SOD, xanthine dehydrogenase; XDH, reduced glutathione; GSH and blood selenium; Se), oxidant markers (heart Xanthine oxidase; XO, Nitric oxide; NO, protein carbonyls and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; TBARS) and the inflammatory molecules (serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha TNF-a, C-reactive protein; CRP and rheumatoid factor; RF) were determined.Results: The arthritic and arthritic irradiated rats were displayed augment oxidative stress, inflammatory cascade and impaired anoxidant status compared to control.Conclusion: The data revealed that Lov-Se administration ameliorate oxidative, antioxidants parameters as well as inflammatory factors. The prolonged administration of Lov-Se mixture in appropriate concentration could exert a considerable systemic anti-inflammatory action through adjustment of red-ox tone and the integration of XDH/XO ratio.

Plants absorb Se element from the soil and enter it into the food chain as the best source of selenium for humans and animals. In the current research, the effects of selenium (bulk and nano forms) were investigated on the absorption of macro and micro elements and growth characteristics of spinach under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design. The factors were foliar spraying of nano selenium (5, 10 and 20 ppm), sodium selenate (5, 10 and 20 ppm) and distilled water (control plants). Based on the findings, an improvement was observed in root dry matter, shoot length, leaf number, and Ca and Se contents with increasing the levels of treatments, in contrast, high levels of both treatments declined the content of leaf nitrate, Na and Mn. Leaf dry matter and P and Mg contents were boosted at the level of 10 ppm  of both treatments, and lessened at higher levels.  The highest root length and Fe and Zn contents were observed at 5 ppm of nano-Se. This indicates the additive effects of low Se concentrations on root tip meristem cell division as well as plant water relations via transport of essential elements. However, the reduction of the mentioned traits occurred at higher levels of both treatments (20 ppm). Eventually, among the different levels of both Se treatments, the best one was 10 ppm Nano-Se. However, it can be stated that selecting the best treatment depends on the type of plant species, the type of utilized treatment, and the effective level on studied traits.

Selenium (Se) is a metalloid element whose antioxidant properties have been confirmed for humans, animals and plants. Selenium is considered as an essential element in some organisms, but its high concentrations lead to toxicity in plants. Selenium is an essential nutrient, but its role in plants requires more research. So in this research, the effect of different concentrations of selenium (sodium selenate and sodium selenite) and selenium nano-particles (Nano-Se) on onion (Allium cepa L. ) seed germination properties and seedling growth was studied. The experimental treatments included four concentrations of sodium selenate and sodium selenite and selenium Nano-Se (5, 10, 15 and 20 mg L-1) and control (distilled water). Different forms and concentrations of selenium had significant effect on onion seed germination. The highest germination percentage (100%) was observed in 10 mg L-1 Nano-Se treatment. Selenium had a positive effect on the length and fresh weight of onion root compared to the control treatment, the lowest amount of root length was observed in the control treatment. Low levels of selenium had a positive effect on the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase enzymes. Adding Nano-Se in concentrations 10 and 15 mg L-1 could promote the seed germination of onion compared to sodium selenite and sodium selenate.

Background: Synthetic nanoparticles are deemed to improve treatment with the least adverse effects. The effect of Selenium Nanoparticles (SeNPs) was reviewed on various pathogenic disorders. In the present project, the role of SeNPs on macrophage responses was assessed. Materials and Methods: SeNPs were prepared synthetically by ascorbic acid. Macrophages (MQs) were cultured and treated with SeNPs in combination with bladder tumor lysate and Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG). Other experimental groups include SeNPs + tumor lysate + MQs, BCG, BCG+MQs, and MQs. The mRNA levels of interferon-γ,and interleukin-10 were evaluated using the real-time PCR method. Results: Synthetic selenium nanoparticles combined with the tumor lysate upregulated the mRNA level of interferon-γ,after 12 and 24 h treatment. Regarding interleukin-10 expression, there were no remarkable differences in all experimental groups. The maximum effect of synthetic SeNPs was observed after 24 h treatment. Conclusion: The optimum effect of synthetic SeNPs presents in a treatment-dependent manner.

The effects of selenium supplements were investigated on blood glutathione peroxidase activity (GPX), selenium, copper, zinc, iron and weight gain. Twelve female Makuei breed, aged nearly 2 months old and weighed approximately 20 kg was studied for 63 days in 3 groups of control, nano selenium particles (NanoSe) and sodium selenite (NaSe). Mean concentrations of GPX, Cu and Fe were high in NanoSe but the differences were not significant. Among sampling time, it was significant constantly for GPX and Se, occasionally for Cu and Zn but not for weight gain. The percentages of weight gain based on birth weight in groups control, Nano SE were 34. 2%, 38. 9% and 36. 3%, respectively, all were not different among groups and sampling times. The individual comparison of parameters in 40 lambs among groups showed differences for GPX, Se and Cu (P<0. 01). Correlations were found between weight/Fe, weight/GPX weight/Se, Zn/Fe and GPX/Se in NanoSe. In conclusion, Se supplements increases GPX activity and Se in which the increases in NanoSe was regular and continues. Se supplements showed no negative effects on Cu, Zn and Fe but caused partially increase in weight gain. NanoSe revealed the correlations between weight gain, GPX, Fe and Se and was priority to NaSe. Thus, the effects of NanoSe in reduce the oxidative stress and increased weight gain was appropriate and probably reasonable option to NaSe administration in lambs.

In this study, selenium was recovered from an industrial dust. After the purification process, the researchers were able to prepare selenium micro powder. The objective of this study was to prepare selenium nano particles by water solution phase method from the micro powders. The results showed that selenium micronized powder and nano particles had high purity. The obtained nanoparticles were tube shaped with 20 nm size.