EN
Forty five chickens (15 days old) were assigned to three groups: (1) control group fed a basal diet;group (2) fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.05% Aspergillus awamori and group (3) fed mixture of A. awamori 0.05% + selenium nano-particles 0.3%. Chickens were allowed free access to feed and raised for 12 days. Body weight gain and breast muscle weight increased in group 2 and 3 when compared to the control. Plasma 3-methylhistidine concentration occurred lower in group 2 and 3 Plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol were decreased by feeding A. awamori and the combination of A. awamori with selenium nano-particles. Fat content of the breast muscle increased accompanied by decrease of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and increase of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). Moreover,decreased muscle TBARS and increased α-tocopherol contents in the breast muscle was observed in both experimental groups. The mRNAs of FAS, GPX and delta-6 desaturase were increased by feeding A. awamori and the combination of A. awamori with selenium nano-particles. In conclusion,it is suggested that feeding A. awamori alone or its combination with selenium nano-particles may improve growth performance, modify the skeletal muscle fatty acid profile and α-tocopherol content,suggesting that they may improve meat quality.