Copper Nanoparticles Supplementation Improves Intestinal Morphology and Antioxidant Status in Broilers

Abstract

The study was planned to determine the effects of copper nanoparticles on intestinal histomorphometric parameters, goblet cells, intra-epithelial lymphocytes and antioxidant status in broiler. One day old Hubbard broiler chicks (n=320) were divided in to four treatment groups with eight replicates in each group. The birds were raised under standard management conditions for 35 days. Control group was fed with basal diet whereas three other groups received basal diet supplemented with copper nanoparticles at 5mg/kg (A), 10mg/kg (B) and 15mg/kg (C) respectively.  On 35^th day, two birds from each replicate were selected randomly for blood and tissue sample collection. Supplementation of CuNP linearly increased (P≤0.05) villus height (VH), villus width (VW), crypt depth (CD) and villus surface area (VSA) in duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Villus height to crypt depth ratio (VH: CD) was also improved with copper nanoparticles supplementation in jejunum and ileum (P≤0.05). Copper nanoparticles supplementation also increased (P≤0.05) acidic and mixed goblet cells (GC) population in duodenum, acidic and total GC in jejunum and acidic, mixed and total GC in ileum. Increasing levels of copper nanoparticles linearly (P≤ 0.05), increased mixed and total GC number in ileum and mixed GC and intra-epithelial lymphocytes IELs in duodenum. Blood Malondialdehyde (MDA) and corticosterone levels decreased linearly with copper nanoparticles supplementation (P≤0.05) whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels increased linearly and quadratically with increasing supplementation. In conclusion, copper nanoparticles is a useful additive in broilers feed with beneficial effects on and intestinal microarchitecture, goblet cells and antioxidant status.