Selenium nanoparticles are more efficient than sodium selenite in reducing the toxicity of aflatoxin B1 in Japanese quail

Contribution of nanotechnology to greater efficiency in animal nutrition and production

Feed costs present a major burden in animal production for human consumption, representing a key opportunity for cost reduction and profit improvement. Nanotechnology offers potential to increase productivity by creating higher-quality and safer products. The feed sector has benefited from the use of nanosystems to improve the stability and bioavailability of feed ingredients. The development of nanotechnology products for feed must consider the challenges raised by biological barriers as well as regulatory requirements. While some nanotechnology-based products are already commercially available for animal production, the exponential growth and application of these products requires further research ensuring their safety and the establishment of comprehensive legislative frameworks and regulatory guidelines. Thus, this article provides an overview of the current state of the art regarding nanotechnology solutions applied in feed, as well as the risks and opportunities aimed to help researchers and livestock producers.

A Meta-analysis of Optimum Level of Dietary Nanoselenium on Performances, Blood Constituents, Antioxidant Activity, Carcass, and Giblet Weight of Broiler Chickens

Contradictory reports regarding the effects of nanoselenium (NanoSe) on the performance of broiler chickens may occur. Therefore, the optimum supplementation of NanoSe doses needs to be determined. The current meta-analysis study was aimed at evaluating the effectiveness and the optimum doses of NanoSe supplementation in broiler diets on performance, blood constituents, carcass, and giblet weight by considering breed and sex. The database was obtained from online scientific publications by searching through search engines such as Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and PubMed by entering the keywords nanoselenium, performance, antioxidants, and broiler. A total of 25 articles were included in the meta-analysis database. The study group was treated as a random effect while NanoSe dose, breed, and sex were treated as fixed effects. Daily body weight gain, carcass weight, and breast weight increased quadratically (P < 0.05), and FCR decreased quadratically (P < 0.05) in the starter and cumulative periods with increasing NanoSe supplementation. NanoSe supplementation tended to decrease cumulative feed intake linearly (P < 0.1) and decreased (P < 0.05) abdominal fat, albumin, red blood cells, ALT, and MDA levels. In contrast, levels of total protein, globulin, glucose, AST, white blood cells, cholesterol, triglyceride, and the weight of the liver, heart, gizzard, bursa of Fabricius, thymus, and spleen were not affected by NanoSe supplementation. Increasing the dose of NanoSe increased (P < 0.05) the GSHPx enzyme and Se concentration in breast muscle and liver and tended to enhance (P < 0.01) the CAT enzyme. It is concluded that a proper dose of NanoSe supplementation in a broiler diet improves body weight gain, feed efficiency, carcass, and breast weight without adverse effects on giblets. Dietary NanoSe elevates Se concentration in the breast muscle and liver and antioxidant activity. The current meta-analysis shows that the optimum dose for body weight gain and FCR is 1 to 1.5 mg/kg.

Nano-selenium relieved hepatic and renal oxidative damage in hypothyroid rats

Hypothyroidism can induce oxidative stress. Nano-selenium (Nano Sel) has antioxidant effects. The current research explored Nano Sel effects on hepatic and renal oxidative damage induced by hypothyroidism in rats. Animals were grouped into (1) Control; (2) Propylthiouracil (PTU) group which received water mixed with 0.05% of PTU; (3) PTU-Nano Sel 50; (4) PTU-Nano Sel 100; and (5) PTU-Nano Sel 150. Besides PTU, the PTU-Nano Sel groups were treated with 50, 100, or 150 μg/kg of Nano Sel intraperitoneally. Treatments were done for 6 weeks. The serum level of T4, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin, total protein, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was evaluated. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and total thiol concentration and the activity of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in hepatic and renal tissues also were checked. Hypothyroidism induced by PTU significantly increased AST, ALT, ALP, creatinine, BUN, and MDA concentration and noticeably reduced albumin, total protein, total thiol level, and SOD and CAT activity. Administration of Nano Sel ameliorated the adverse effects of hypothyroidism on liver and kidney function. Nano Sel applied protective effects against hepatic and renal damage resulting from hypothyroidism via ameliorating the oxidative stress status. More cellular and molecular experiments need to be done to understand the exact mechanisms.