Dietary Supplementation of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Yeast Culture: Effect on Nutrient Digestibility, Growth Performance, and Blood Metabolites in Ghanduzi Male Lambs.

Abadi, E. Ibrahimi Khoram

The worldwide prohibition of antibiotics has heightened interest in alternative feed additives, like paraprobiotics and nanominerals, to improve livestock performance. This study investigates the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-Nps) and yeast culture (YC) on nutrient digestibility, growth performance, and blood metabolites in Ghanduzi male lambs. Sixteen Ghanduzi male lambs, with an average body weight of 32 ± 4.2 kg, were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments: a control diet without supplements; a diet supplemented with 50 mg/kg ZnO-Nps; a diet containing 5 g/kg YC; and a diet combining both ZnONps and YC. The trial lasted 28 days, during which daily dry matter intake (DMI), nutrient digestibility, and growth performance metrics were recorded. Blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. Lambs fed with the diet combining ZnO-Nps and YC showed the highest daily dry matter intake (DMI). This diet significantly enhanced the digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and organic matter (OM) compared to other groups (P<0.001). The final body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) were also significantly higher in the ZnO-Nps YC group (43.42 kg and 0.417 kg/day, respectively) compared to the control and YC groups (P<0.001). Blood metabolites showed no significant differences among treatment groups, although trends indicated improved nitrogen utilization in the supplemented groups. Combining ZnO-Nps and yeast culture substantially enhances growth performance and nutrient digestibility in Ghanduzi male lambs without adversely affecting blood metabolites. These results advocate for the utilization of ZnO-Nps and YC as potent alternatives to conventional growth promoters in sheep farming.

FEED analysis; YEAST culture; DIETARY supplements; FEED additives; ZINC oxide

Iranian Journal of Applied Animal Science, 2024, Vol 14, Issue 4, p581

2251-628X

Academic Journal

10.71798/ijas.2024.1195017