Effect of Chrome Nanoparticle on Growth Performance, Liver Tissue, and Oxidative Stress in Japanese Quails.

In this study, the effects of adding different levels of chromium nanoparticles to quail feeds on growth performance and some blood and liver parameters of quails were examined. A total of 160 broiler quails were used, split into four groups (4 × 40 pieces) each with four replications (4 × 10 pieces). The experiment was designed according to a completely random design, including one control and three experimental groups: basal diet (control); basal diet + 0.4 mg kg-1 Nano-Cr (40-50 nm) (NCr-04); basal diet + 0.8 mg kg-1 Nano-Cr (40-50 nm) (NCr-08); basal diet + 1.2 mg kg-1 Nano-Cr (40-50 nm) (NCr-1.2). In order to determine the growth performance of quails, live weight gains, feed conversion rate, and feed consumption were determined. Oxidative stress index, total antioxidant status, total oxidant status,) and liver fat levels were determined using blood and liver samples. Weight gain was significantly higher in the Nano-Cr supplemented groups than in the control group only in the first week. The best performance of final body weight was achieved in group I (NCr-04). Feed consumption during 0-35 days was found to be lower in the Nano-Cr added groups compared to the control group (p < .05). Supplementing different levels of Nano-Cr in quails diet significantly improved feed conversion rate (p < .05). Fatty liver level was lower in group II (NCr-08) and group III (NCr-1.2) than in the control and group I (NCr-04) (p < .01). Cell infiltration was highest in group II. In conclusion, it was determined that the addition of Nano-Cr to the feed decreased feed consumption (average 7.3%), improved feed efficiency (average 8.7%), and decreased the level of liver fat (average 69.4%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]