Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Irain - tehran- university of tehran
2 Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, College of Aburaihan, University of Tehran, Pakdasht, Iran.
3 Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, College of Aburaihan, University of Tehran
Abstract
Abstract
Objective: Trace element, particularly zinc (Zn), play a pivotal role in the normal metabolism and growth of broiler chickens. The application of novel technologies facilitates the synthesis of new Zn complexes designed for more efficient nutrient delivery. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of various dietary Zn sources on the performance, carcass characteristics, immunological parameters, and lipid oxidation of broiler meat.
Methods: Two hundred one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to five experimental treatments, with four replicates per treatment. The dietary treatments consisted of: (1) a basal corn-soybean meal diet (Control), (2) basal diet supplemented with Zn-sulfate, (3) Zn methionine, (4) Zn nano sulfate, and (5) Zn nano methionine, all supplemented at a level of 40 mg/kg of diet. Birds were provided ad libitum access to feed and water. Environmental conditions (temperature and relative humidity) were maintained within optimal ranges. Parameters assessed included growth performance, carcass traits, blood hematology, and thigh meat quality. The Zn nano complexes were designed based on nano-chelate technology.
Results: At the end of the starter period, the lowest feed intake (FI) was observed in birds fed the Zn nano sulfate supplement (40 mg/kg) (P<0.05). Lower FI in this group resulted in reduced bird growth during this period, showing a significant difference compared to other groups (P<0.05). Over the entire experimental period (1 to 42 days), a statistically significant numerical trend toward increased body weight gain (BWG) was noted among treatments (P=0.06). The best feed conversion ratio (FCR) was recorded in the Zn nano methionine group, which significantly differed from the Control and Zn nano sulfate groups (P<0.05). Carcass yield was significantly affected by the experimental treatments (P<0.05), with the lowest yield observed in birds fed Zn nano- sulfate and the Control diet. Abdominal fat pad relative weight was significantly higher in the Control and Zn nano sulfate groups compared to the other treatments (P<0.05). Furthermore, dietary Zn sources significantly impacted serum lymphocyte percentages (P<0.05); the best cell-mediated immune response was observed in birds fed zinc nano methionine and Zn methionine. The extent of oxidative spoilage in thigh meat of the Control group was significantly higher at 50, 100, and 150 minutes’ post-mortem compared to the other treatment groups (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Overall, the results of the present study indicate that incorporating 40 mg/kg of various Zn sources in nano scale (Zn nano sulfate and Zn nano methionine) in the diet elicits variable effects on growth performance, certain immune parameters, and meat quality in broiler chickens.
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