Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine whether hydroxy-selenomethionine (OH-SeMet) exerts better protective effects on sows against heat stress than sodium selenite (SeNa) or seleno-yeast (SeY). A total of 60 sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly allocated into the three groups and fed a base diet supplemented with SeNa, SeY, or OH-SeMet at 0.3 mg Se/kg under a heat stress condition for a reproductive cycle. Compared to SeNa or SeY, OH-SeMet could more effectively sustain offspring growth performance, as evidenced by an increased number of live-born piglets, higher litter weight at day 21, and greater litter body weight gain from days 1 to 21. OH-SeMet was more effective in supporting endogenous redox systems, as shown by enhanced levels of TXNRD and GSH and reduced levels of GSSG in the serum of sows, improved T-AOC, TXNRD, and GSH alongside decreased MDA and GSSG in the serum of piglets, and heightened T-AOC in the jejunum of piglets. Furthermore, among the two tested organic Se sources, OH-SeMet was more effective than SeY in regulating immune responses compared to SeNa. OH-SeMet reduced inflammation-related markers CRP, HP, MAP, LPS, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, some or all of which were reduced in the serum of sows and their offspring. In addition, OH-SeMet also showed reduced glucose, TG, and NEFA levels, along with elevated insulin levels in the serum of sows. Correspondingly, among the two organic forms of Se, particularly those sows fed OH-SeMet showed better gut protection for the sows' offspring, as indicated by a reduced crypt depth and increased villus height/crypt depth ratio in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum than those fed SeNa. Specifically, compared to SeNa or SeY, OH-SeMet upregulated the expression of selenoproteins (GPX6, TXNRD3, GPX4, and SELENON), the tight junction protein (ZO-1), and host defense peptide gene (pBD1, pBD2, pBD3, NPG3, NPG4), along with downregulating levels of inflammation factor (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) and pro-apoptotic factor (P53) in the jejunum of piglets. Taken together, OH-SeMet more effectively mitigated the adverse effects induced by heat stress in sows and their offspring.