Xun Pei1, Zhiping Xiao1, Lujie Liu1, Geng Wang1, Wenjing Tao1, Minqi Wang1, Junbiao Zou2, Dongbi Leng2. 1. Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science (Eastern China), Ministry of Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Animal Feed and Nutrition of Zhejiang Province, College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. 2. Jiangxi Innovating Science and Technology Co., Ltd, Nanchang, People's Republic of China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the effects of dietary zinc oxide nanoparticles (nano-ZnOs) on growth performance, zinc status, intestinal morphology, microflora population, and immune response in weaned piglets. A total of 150 weaned piglets (9.37 ± 0.48 kg) were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments and fed with a basal diet (control), or the basal diet supplemented with nano-ZnOs at 150, 300, or 450 mg kg-1 , and 3000 mg kg-1 ZnO for 21 days. After a feeding test, six pigs from the control, 450 mg kg-1 nano-ZnOs and 3000 mg kg-1 ZnO groups were slaughtered. RESULTS: Compared with the control, dietary supplements of nano-ZnOs and ZnO could improve (P < 0.05) average daily weight gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and villus height to crypt depth ratio in the duodenum and jejunum, and decrease (P < 0.05) diarrhea incidence. Zinc retention in the serum, heart, liver, spleen and kidney of pigs supplemented with nano-ZnOs and ZnO was increased (P < 0.05). Nano-ZnOs decreased (P < 0.05) the zinc excretion compared with conventional ZnO. Lower Escherichia coli counts in the cecum, colon, and rectum were observed (P < 0.05) in the nano-ZnOs group compared with the other groups. Compared with the control, ZnO and nano-ZnOs increased (P < 0.05) the serum concentration of IgA, IL-6, and TNF-α, and decreased (P < 0.05) the concentration of IgM. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that low doses of nano-ZnOs can have beneficial effects on growth performance, intestinal morphology and microflora, and immunity in weanling pigs, which are similar to the effects of pharmacological dosages of conventional ZnO. Nano-ZnOs may reduce mineral excretion, which may reduce environmental challenges.
BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the effects of dietary zinc oxide nanoparticles (nano-ZnOs) on growth performance, zinc status, intestinal morphology, microflora population, and immune response in weaned piglets. A total of 150 weaned piglets (9.37 ± 0.48 kg) were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments and fed with a basal diet (control), or the basal diet supplemented with nano-ZnOs at 150, 300, or 450 mg kg-1 , and 3000 mg kg-1 ZnO for 21 days. After a feeding test, six pigs from the control, 450 mg kg-1 nano-ZnOs and 3000 mg kg-1 ZnO groups were slaughtered. RESULTS: Compared with the control, dietary supplements of nano-ZnOs and ZnO could improve (P < 0.05) average daily weight gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and villus height to crypt depth ratio in the duodenum and jejunum, and decrease (P < 0.05) diarrhea incidence. Zinc retention in the serum, heart, liver, spleen and kidney of pigs supplemented with nano-ZnOs and ZnO was increased (P < 0.05). Nano-ZnOs decreased (P < 0.05) the zinc excretion compared with conventional ZnO. Lower Escherichia coli counts in the cecum, colon, and rectum were observed (P < 0.05) in the nano-ZnOs group compared with the other groups. Compared with the control, ZnO and nano-ZnOs increased (P < 0.05) the serum concentration of IgA, IL-6, and TNF-α, and decreased (P < 0.05) the concentration of IgM. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that low doses of nano-ZnOs can have beneficial effects on growth performance, intestinal morphology and microflora, and immunity in weanling pigs, which are similar to the effects of pharmacological dosages of conventional ZnO. Nano-ZnOs may reduce mineral excretion, which may reduce environmental challenges.