Background: Zn is an essential mineral of biological importance and in the past processed and unprocessed forms of Zn was used with uncertain composition. Zn is very important from nutritional point of view and is often supplemented in poultry diet. Zn promotes the growth, skeletal development, mineral retention, Zn concentration in tissues, production of neutropphils and antibodies and it improves the functions of macrophages. Zn deficiency causes reduction in weight gain, skeletal malformations, poor bone mineralization and immunological dysfunctions. ZnO nanoparticles (ZONP) are mostly used due to its advantages over conventional forms. Current study is aimed to evaluate the effects of ZONP on serum minerals profile, tibial bone minerals profile and bone health in broilers.
Hypothesis: ZONP may enhance bone health and serum minerals in broiler.
Methodology: The study included 120 day-old broiler chicks divided into four groups, each with 6 replicates. Group A served as control group and group B, C and D served as treatment groups supplemented with 80mg/kg ZnO, 40mg/kg ZONP and 80mg/kg ZONP respectively. At the end of 35 days, two birds from each replicate were randomly selected and slaughtered to collect tibial bone samples and blood samples. The parameters reported were bone health i.e. bone weight, bone length, robusticity index and tibiotarsal index and minerals in serum and bones were analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and flame photometry.
Statistical analysis: The data was analyzed using one way Analysis of variance (ANOVA). The group differences were compared by the Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. Differences were considered significant at P < 0.05.
Results: This study helped us to determine the bone health and minerals level of bones and serum in response to ZONP in broiler. The results showed no change in serum and bones level of Zn, Fe, K and Na in Zn supplemented groups compared to control group but serum and bones Ca level showed significant increase in Zn supplemented groups compared to control group. The results showed no significant difference in bone dry weight, wet weight, length, bone diameter, medullary canal diameter, robusticity index and tibiotarsal index of broilers supplemented with Zn compared to control group.
Conclusion: It is concluded that Zn supplementation, either ZnO or ZONP, has no effect on bones health, bone minerals and serum minerals. However, Ca level of bones and serum was increased by Zn (either ZnO or ZONP)