Preventive Effect of Selenium, Methionine and Antioxidants against Encephalomalacia of Chicks induced by Dilauryl Succinate

Abstract

The protective effect of supplemental selenium, methionine, ascorbic acid, menaquinone and five antioxidants against encephalomalacia of chicks fed a diet containing dilauryl succinate was examined. Diauryl succinate induces vitamin E deficiency signs such as fragility of the erythrocytes and encephalomalacia. Supplementation of selenium and methionine with or without simultaneous supplementation of a low level of dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate had little effect on preventing encephalomalacia. The preventive effect of ascorbic acid, methylene blue, ethoyquine, 2,6-ditertiary-butyl-p-cresol and butylated hydroxyanisole was roughly in proportion to their dietary level, and a high level of any of them could almost completely protect the chicks from encephalomalacia, while diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine was not as effective and the effect was not proportional to the dose. Menaquinone had little effect. No difference was observed in the plasma tocopherol levels and peroxide levels in the adipose tissueof the chick fed eith er dilauryl succinate or cornstarch. The effect of dilauryl succinate appears to be independent of peroxides generated in the chick.

Selenium Deficiency in Chicks Induced by Feeding Yeast Grown on Methanol as a Sole Dietary Protein Source

“…Hemolysis was completely prevented by vitamin E and partially by Se, in agreement with the report by Rotruck et al 14 ) It has been reported that Se could not prevent encephalomalacia, one of vitamin E deficiency symptoms 15 ) in chicks. Partial effect of Se on hemolysis, however, suggests that Se has a slight sparing action for vitamin E, which may be through recovering of the activity of glutathione peroxidase in plasma.…”

Histopathological and Biochemical Changes Associated with Selenium and Vitamin E Deficiency in Chicks

“…Thus, VE may have different modes of action in preventing encephalomalacia and ED, or it may play a secondary role in connection with Se in the prevention of ED. It should be emphasized that the mechanism involving VE in the protection of chicks against encephalomalacia is unknown (BARTOV and BORNSTEIN, 1980), and a Se supplement as 2 0.1 mg/kg diet has only a slight if any preventive effect against encephalomalacia (YOSHIDA and HOSHII, 1977). Another consideration, as stated by GREEN et al (1967), is that the VE requirement depends partially on the dietary content of polyunsaturated fatty acids.…”