Effects of Dietary Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Supplementation on Growth Performance, Zinc Status, Intestinal Morphology, Microflora Population, and Immune Response in Weaned Pigs.

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 basal diet (control), basal diet supplemented with nano-ZnOs at 150, 300, or 450 mg kg-1 , and 3,000 mg kg-1 ZnO for 21 days. After feeding trial, six pigs from the control, 450 mg kg-1 nano-ZnOs and 3,000 mg kg-1 ZnO were slaughtered.

RESULTS: Compared with the control, dietary supplemental nano-ZnOs and ZnO could improve (P<0.05) ADG, ADFI and villus height to crypt depth ratio in the duodenum and jejunum, and decrease (P<0.05) diarrhea incidence. Zinc retention in serum, heart, liver, spleen and kidney of pigs supplemented with nano-ZnOs and ZnO were 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 nano-ZnOs group compared with others. 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 the nano-ZnOs product in low dosage is potential to exhibit beneficial effects on growth performance, intestinal morphology and microflora, and immunity in weanling pigs, which are similar to that of pharmacological dosage conventional ZnO. Nano-ZnOs may reduce mineral excretion, which may lower the environmental challenges. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.