The effects of alpha lipoic acid and different sources of selenium on growth performance, carcass characteristics, intestinal morphology and microbial population of broiler chickens

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Department of Animal Science, QaS.C., Islamic Azad University, Qaemshahr, Iran

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different selenium sources (inorganic, organic, and nano) and levels of alpha-lipoic acid on growth performance, carcass characteristics, jejunum morphology, and intestinal microbial population of broiler chickens. Four hundred and fifty Ross 308-male broiler chicks were used in 6 treatments with 5 replicates each. The experimental diets were arranged in a completely randomized design with a 2×3 factorial arrangement, including two levels of alpha-lipoic acid in the diet (0 and 300 mg/kg) and three selenium sources: inorganic (sodium selenite), organic (selenomethionine), and nano (nano-selenium). Results showed that chicks fed organic and nano selenium had better feed conversion ratios compared to those fed inorganic selenium (p<0.05). Additionally, supplementation with 300 mg/kg alpha-lipoic acid significantly increased body weight and improved feed conversion ratio in broilers (p<0.05). Addition of nano selenium increased the relative weights of carcass, thigh, bursa and spleen compared with inorganic selenium (P<0.05). Furthermore, the highest weight of spleen was observed in group with combination of nano selenium and alpha-lipoic acid (p<0.05). Morphology of jejunum, consumption of alpha-lipoic acid and nano selenium significantly increased the length and surface area of jejunal villi (p<0.05). The results of microbial population indicated that adding alpha-lipoic acid to the diet increased Lactobacillus population in cecum (p<0.05). Therefore, it is concluded that the use of organic or nano selenium along with alpha-lipoic acid can improve growth performance and gut health in broiler chickens.

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Iranian Journal of animal Science

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 04 January 2026

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History

  • Receive Date: 14 October 2025
  • Revise Date: 04 December 2025
  • Accept Date: 27 December 2025

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