Effect of copper nanoparticles administered in ovo on the activity of proliferating cells and on the resistance of femoral bones in broiler chickens

Author details:

1 Department of Ichthyobiology, Fisheries and Aquaculture Biotechnology, Faculty of Animal Science, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland; 2 Department of Poultry Breeding, Faculty of Animal Science, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland; 3 Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark; 4 Department of Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology, Faculty of Animal Science, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate bone resistance after in ovo administration of copper nanoparticles (NanoCu) and to determine the number of cells positive for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the femoral bones of broiler chickens (n = 12 per group). The study demonstrated that femoral bones from the NanoCu group were characterised by a higher weight and volume and by significantly greater resistance to fractures compared to the Control group. NanoCu promoted the proliferation of PCNA-positive cells in the long bones of chickens. A significantly higher number of PCNA-positive cells in the bones of birds in the NanoCu group compared with the Control group (137 and 122, respectively) indicate a stimulatory effect during embryogenesis. Considering the improvement in bone resistance to fractures and the effect of NanoCu on the number of PCNA-positive cells in femoral bones, NanoCu may be an alternative agent to minimise the ever-present problem of weak bones in broiler chickens.

Keywords: Bone density, bone formation, chickens, copper, in ovo administration, nanoparticles.

Abstract published in Archives of Animal Nutrition, 71:4, 327-332, DOI: 10.1080/1745039X.2017.1331619.