L-seleno-methionine in the feed improves the growth and digestion, immunity and intestinal microflora of growing pigs through the antioxidant function mediated by the PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 pathway

The aim of this experiment was to explore the effects of selenomethionine added to the feed on the growth performance, digestibility, antioxidant function and intestinal microbiota of growing pigs, in order to provide a reference for the rational application of L-selenomethionine in pig production. Sixty 56-day-old hybrid pigs were selected for the experiment and randomly assigned to four treatment groups: (1) basal diet supplemented with 0.35 mg/kg selenium (sodium selenite, SS group); (2) basal diet supplemented with 0.35 mg/kg selenium (L- selenomethylselenocysteine, SC group); (3) 0.35 mg/kg selenium added to the basal diet (yeast selenium, SY group); (4) 0.35 mg/kg selenium added to the basal diet (selenomethionine, SM group), with a 3-day prefeeding period and a 28-day formal test period. The results showed that compared with the addition of sodium selenite to the feed, the addition of an appropriate amount of organic selenium to the feed was more effective, and the addition of L-selenomethionine had the best effect.