Effect of nanosilicon dioxide on growth performance, egg quality, liver histopathology and concentration of calcium, phosphorus and silicon in egg, liver and bone in laying quails

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of nanosilicon dioxide (nSiO 2 ) on performance, egg quality, liver histopathology and concentration of calcium (Ca), phosphorus and silicon (Si) in egg, liver and bone in laying quails. The experiment was administered using 60 laying quails at 16-26 weeks of age with five treatments [0 (control), 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 mg nSiO 2 per kg of diet] and four replicates in a completely randomized design. During the experiment, the amount of feed intake was recorded weekly and performance parameters were measured. During the last 3 days of the experiment, all of the eggs in each replicate were collected and egg quality parameters were measured. At the end of 26 weeks of age, the birds were sacrificed and blood samples were collected. Liver samples from each treatment were fixed in 10% buffered formalin for histopathological assessment. The right thigh bone and a portion of liver were inserted in plastic bags and stored at -20. The results showed that nSiO 2 supplementation significantly affected egg weight and egg mass (P \ 0.05). Also, dietary nSiO 2 supplementation decreased the yolk weight and increased the shell weight (P \ 0.05). Moreover, nSiO 2 increased bone ash content, Ca and Si concentration in the bone (P \ 0.05). The liver enzymes in plasma and the liver tissue histopathology were not significantly affected (P [ 0.05) by dietary treatments. In conclusion, the results indicated that dietary supplementation of nSiO 2 could improve bone density and performance without any adverse effect on the health of laying quails.

The Role of Nanotechnology in the Fortification of Plant Nutrients and Improvement of Crop Production

“…Yeo et al reported the reduced sodium uptake and transpirational bypass flow by Oryza sativa due to treatment with silicon [122]. In the work of Faryadi and Sheikhahmadi, nano-silicon dioxide supplements affected the weights of eggs and increased the bone ash content and calcium in laying quails [123].…”

Toxicity Evaluation of Nanostructured Silica Orally Administered to Rats: Influence on Immune System Function

“…After the exposure of zebrafish eggs to silica NPs, no subsequent occurrence of anomalies in the development of embryos, or signs of cardio-and hepatotoxicity was revealed, although there were some features in behavioral reactions [33]. Feeding female quails with SiO 2 nanoparticles for 10 weeks at a dose of up to 4000 mg per kg of feed did not lead to significant changes in blood plasma biochemical parameters and histopathological changes in the liver, but caused a decrease in the weight of the yolks of eggs and an increase in the thickness of their shells [34]. Based on the data listed, it may be concluded that the oral toxicity of silica nanoparticles is relatively low.…”

Effect of Purslane powder and Zinc supplementation on the performance, egg quality, antioxidant system and liver histopathology of lead-exposed laying Quails

“…Estradiol induces the synthesis of vitellogenin in the avian liver (Gruber et al, 1976). Reduction synthesis of vitellogenesis could be a reason for the reduced yolk weight and egg weights (Faryadi and Sheikhahmadi 2017). Therefore, it seems probably that decrease in plasma LH level due to the addition of lead acetate to the diet of quails could be a possible reason to reduced egg production and egg mass.…”