Effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles on some antioxidant biomarkers and enzymes of broiler chickens during starter phase

The study investigated the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on some of the antioxidant biomarkers and enzyme serum in broiler chickens during starter stage (1-21d). A total of 240 one-d-old broilers (Ross-308) were randomly divided into four groups, with 60 birds in each group and 4 replicates with 15 birds in each experimental pen. The experimental diets were T1, Control (basal corn-soybean diet supplemented with 36.27 mg Zn/kg from zinc oxide; T2, T3 and T4, basal corn-soybean diets supplemented with 30, 60 and 90 mg ZnO-NPs/kg, respectively. Dietary ZnO-NPs supplementation significantly increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC), super oxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzyme activity in test groups compared to the control. However, the serum enzyme activity of lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in the birds fed ZnO-NPs had not significantly altered in comparison to control group. However, a decreasing trend was observed in the activity of ALT and AST enzymes in the birds fed 60 and/or 90 mg ZnONPs. Also, the MDA concentration was numerically decreased compared to the control group. In conclusion, results of study suggest that dietary zinc oxide nanoparticles @ 90 mg per kg of basal diet improved antioxidative status and activity of some enzymes used as body health indicator in the broilers during starter period (1-21 d).