Diet selenium improves the antioxidant defense system of juveniles Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.)

From the advancement of tilapia production in recent years, diets are sought that allow the maximum growth, improving health and fish quality. In this study growth, biochemical, hematological and oxidative parameters were evaluated of tilapia fed with increasing selenium levels: 0.53, 0.86, 1.04 and 1.22 mg kg(-1). It was used 400 juveniles (initial weight = 36.51 +/- 10.88 g), fed for six weeks. There was no effect of selenium on fish growth, biochemical and hematological parameters. In the oxidative parameters, there was an increase in non-protein thiols and a decrease in malondialdehyde levels, evidencing antioxidant effects of selenium. The diet selenium levels above 0.86 mg kg(-1)improved the antioxidant system and does not affect to biochemical, hematological and growth parameters of tilapia juveniles.