International Journal of Poultry Science 11 (12): 777-780, 2012 ISSN 1682-8356 © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2012 Corresponding Author: Fernanda M. Goncalves, Departament of Animal Science, Animal Science Post Graduation Program, Federal University of Pelotas, RS, Brazil 777 Total Replacement of Sodium Selenite by Selenium Yeast Reduces non Prime Cuts Yields in Male Broilers Fernanda M. Goncalves*, Juliana K. Nunes, Liliane Novelini, Naiana E. Manzke, Marcos A. Anciuti, Fernando Rutz and Jerri T. Zanusso Animal Science Post Graduation Program, Federal University of Pelotas, RS, Brazil Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate carcass traits, yield and meat quality of broilers supplemented with organic selenium (selenium yeast) in total replacement to sodium selenite in the diets. A total of 704 male Cobb chicks, one day old, were randomly allotted in 32 boxes, which one with 22 animals, in a total of 16 replicates per treatment. The diets were formulated based on corn and soybean meal and different sources of selenium. The treatments consisted of selenium in the inorganic form (sodium selenite, SS) and in an organic form (selenium yeast, SY) supplementation. At 42 days old, 64 birds per treatment were slaughtered and carcass traits, yields and meat quality were evaluated. SY group showed lower back yield in comparison with SS group. Breast yield was slighted higher in SY group, however, no statistic differences were found. Meat quality and traits were not influenced by dietary treatments. Total replacement of sodium selenite by selenium yeast in broilers diets reduces back yields, a non prime cut in chicken carcass. Sodium selenite can be totally replaced by selenium yeast without affecting broiler meat quality and traits. Key words: Prime cuts, organic selenium, carcass yield INTRODUCTION Modern broiler chicken has been genetically selected mainly for performance parameters and carcass traits. However, intensive selection also has negative aspects; one of these is an increase in fat deposition on the carcass, which is prone to deterioration and some consumers may also find this fat unacceptable. Also losses in meat quality are more evident in carcasses with high fatty acids content, like pork, beef and chicken, been more prone to the lipoperoxidation process. Pork and chicken meat oxidize faster than beef, since their fat content is higher and more unsaturated fatty acids are present (Olivo and Shimokomaki, 2002). Oxidative reactions result in meat deterioration and the nutritional value of the meat is diminished (Bou et al., 2005) so, it’s necessary to put quality in poultry raising since the first day that birds are allocated in poultry houses, choosing better ingredients to use in the diets in order to obtain high quality meat in the end of the process. Trace elements in diet composition tend to start physiologic changes in muscle tissue, modifying meat in a beneficial way. To improve meat stability, selenium, as a component of glutathione peroxidase, has been added to animal diets, protecting the membrane of muscle fibers, helping to keep meat’s natural characteristics (Downs et al., 2000). In addition, selenium deficiencies are common in animal diets; this deficiency causes nutritional muscle dystrophy which may cause losses by carcass condemnation. Usually, animal diets are supplemented with levels of selenium in concentrations higher than recommended. The aim is to reach at least the ideal selenium concentrations in the body; but this may result in environmental contamination. In Europe, soil and water contamination by selenium comes mainly from the manure of animal production units which use sodium selenite in their diets (Sager, 2006). This selenium state does not have good absorption; because it interacts with other minerals in chickens gut became unavailable. According to Payne et al. (2005), organic selenium (as selenium yeast or selenomethionine) is actively absorbed by the organism and can be directly incorporated into proteins. It also can be stored with higher efficiency in chicken breast compared to the inorganic form (Choct et al., 2004; Kuricova et al., 2003). The opposite occurs with sodium selenite, which’s absorbed by passive transporting, competing for the same binding sites with other minerals (Surai, 2002). In the future, sodium selenite used in animal nutrition will pass through several legislative changes in UE. Under the new rules for feed promoters (Regulation-EC 1831/2003), all of them will be reviewed, including trace minerals. However, an organic source of selenium was approved for animal diets utilization (FDA, 2000). This form of selenium is obtained by growing yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) in a selenium rich environment and reduced sulfur content, promoting the incorporation of selenium