Copper Nanoparticles Improve Growth Performance and Modulate Biochemical and Lipid Profiles in Broilers Exposed to Chronic Heat Stress

Abstract

This experiment was designed to evaluate the impact of dietary supplementation with copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO_NPs) on growth, serum biochemical and lipid profiles, and relative immune organs weights of Ross 308 and Cobb 500 broilers exposed to chronic heat stress (HS). Chicks were allotted in three treatments with three replicates per each treatment. Chicks in the 1st treatment group fed 100 % of its recommended Cu needs in the form of CuO while, 2nd & 3rd groups received 100 % and 50% of their Cu needs as CuO_NPs, respectively. At 21 days old, each group was split into two, normal (housed at 24 °C) and HS (exposed to 33±2°C for 5 h/day for 2 weeks). CuO_NPs supplementation to Cobb and Ross broilers significantly modified their growth. Furthermore, it altered their serum globulin concentration while non-significant improvement in liver function indicators was recorded. In addition, dietary inclusion of CuO_NPs for the two studied strains significantly modified their serum ALP levels and significantly modified their abdominal fat content and serum lipid profile (cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of CuO_NPs to Cobb and Ross birds reared under HS conditions can effectively improve growth performance and biochemical profile, reduce serum cholesterol content, and restored the relative weight of the bursa, thymus, and spleen.