<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The racing season is considered a critical period for racing pigeons due to the susceptibility to stress and weakening of the birds. One of the ways how to support their health and avoid problems involves supplementation of mineral-vitamin preparations based on selenium and vitamin E, which act as important antioxidants and protect cells against damage. This study investigated the influence of peroral supplementation of selenium at a dose of 0.3 mg Se.kg−1 feed dry matter (DM) in the form of Na2SeO3 and vitamin E 300 mg.ml−1 added to water at a rate of 4 ml.l−1 during 60 days. The supplemented group comprised 14 pigeons and their results were compared with a control group of 14 pigeons fed non-supplemented commercial feed. Blood samples were collected and examined at the beginning of the supplementation period, one day before a 300 km race and after the race. Pigeons from the supplemented group exhibited increased plasma levels of Se and vitamin E, as well as the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) before and after the 300 km race in comparison with the controls. Comparison of the activity of the enzymes: alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (ASP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and creatinine kinase (CK) at the beginning of the supplementation and one day before the race showed no changes. A significant (P &lt; 0.05) increase in the activity of all investigated enzymes were observed after the race in both groups.</abstract>

The racing season is considered a critical period for racing pigeons due to the susceptibility to stress and weakening of the birds. One of the ways how to support their health and avoid problems involves supplementation of mineral-vitamin preparations based on selenium and vitamin E, which act as important antioxidants and protect cells against damage. This study investigated the influence of peroral supplementation of selenium at a dose of 0.3 mg Se.kg−1 feed dry matter (DM) in the form of Na2SeO3 and vitamin E 300 mg.ml−1 added to water at a rate of 4 ml.l−1 during 60 days. The supplemented group comprised 14 pigeons and their results were compared with a control group of 14 pigeons fed non-supplemented commercial feed. Blood samples were collected and examined at the beginning of the supplementation period, one day before a 300 km race and after the race. Pigeons from the supplemented group exhibited increased plasma levels of Se and vitamin E, as well as the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) before and after the 300 km race in comparison with the controls. Comparison of the activity of the enzymes: alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (ASP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and creatinine kinase (CK) at the beginning of the supplementation and one day before the race showed no changes. A significant (P < 0.05) increase in the activity of all investigated enzymes were observed after the race in both groups.

Influence of Peroral Supplementation of Selenium and Vitamin E on the Antioxidant Status of Racing Pigeons

Folia Veterinaria

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The racing season is considered a critical period for racing pigeons due to the susceptibility to stress and weakening of the birds. One of the ways how to...

Influence of Peroral Supplementation of Selenium and Vitamin E on the Antioxidant Status of Racing Pigeons

Published Online: Oct 17, 2016

Page range: 24 - 28

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/fv-2016-0024

Keywords
glutathione peroxidase, racing pigeons, selenium, supplementation, vitamin E

© 2016 Vargová, V. et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Influence of Peroral Supplementation of Selenium and Vitamin E on the Antioxidant Status of Racing Pigeons

Published Online: Oct 17, 2016

Page range: 24 - 28

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/fv-2016-0024

Keywordsglutathione peroxidase, racing pigeons, selenium, supplementation, vitamin E

© 2016 Vargová, V. et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
glutathione peroxidase, racing pigeons, selenium, supplementation, vitamin E