Research Progress of Organic Selenium in Animal Nutrition

Selenium, an essential trace element that is critical for animal health, primarily exists in nature in both inorganic and organic forms. Inorganic selenium exhibits high toxicity, whereas organic selenium is noteworthy due to its reduced toxicity and enhanced bioavailability. In the field of animal feeding, the incorporation of organic selenium has been shown to markedly enhance various aspects of animal performance, including immunity, fertility, antioxidant capacity, and meat quality. Furthermore, it can contribute to a reduction in farming costs while simultaneously improving the overall quality of animal products. Selenium deficiencies can lead to the onset of various diseases in animals, in addition to causing stunted growth and diminished reproductive performance. This paper presents a thorough review of the existing research on the application of organic selenium in animal nutrition. Additionally, it investigates the potential for integrating modern technology with selenium, with a specific emphasis on the prospective use of nano-selenium as a novel source of selenium. The objective of this study is to establish a foundational reference for the role of selenium in the field of animal nutrition research and its practical applications.