title: Regulation of egg quality and lipids metabolism by Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles.
abstract: This investigation was designed to explore the effects of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO NP) on egg quality and the mechanism of decreasing of yolk lipids. Different concentration of ZnO NP and ZnSO4 were used to treat hens for 24 weeks. The body weight and egg laying frequency were recorded and analyzed. Albumen height, Haugh unit, and yolk color score were analyzed by an Egg Multi Tester. Breaking strength was determined by an Egg Force Reader. Egg shell thickness was measured using an Egg Shell Thickness Gouge. Shell color was detected by a spectrophotometer. Egg shape index was measured by Egg Form Coefficient Measuring Instrument. Albumen and yolk protein was determined by the Kjeldahl method. Amino acids were determined by an amino acids analyzer. Trace elements Zn, Fe, Cu, and P (mg/kg wet mass) were determined in digested solutions using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry. TC and TG were measured using commercial analytical kits. Yolk triglyceride, total cholesterol, pancreatic lipase, and phospholipids were determined by appropriate kits. β-carotene was determined by spectrophotometry. Lipid metabolism was also investigated with liver, plasma, and ovary samples. ZnO NP did not change the body weight of hens during the treatment period. ZnO NP slowed down egg laying frequency at the beginning of egg laying period but not at later time. ZnO NP did not affect egg protein or water contents, slightly decreased egg physical parameters (12 to 30%) and trace elements (20 to 35%) after 24 weeks treatment. However, yolk lipids content were significantly decreased by ZnO NP (20 to 35%). The mechanism of Zinc oxide nanoparticles decreasing yolk lipids was that they decreased the synthesis of lipids and increased lipid digestion. These data suggested ZnO NP affected egg quality and specifically regulated lipids metabolism in hens through altering the function of hen's ovary and liver.
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, P. R. China Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao 266109, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao 266109, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Lan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, P. R. China Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao 266109, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Peng-Fei
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Xin-Qi
authors.initials: XQ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, P. R. China Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao 266109, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Wei-Dong
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Zhao-Peng
authors.initials: ZP
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Shi-Wen
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao 266109, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao 266109, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Ling-Jiang
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Min
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, P. R. China zHao6276@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Zhi-Hui
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Hao
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000502:physiology*; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010063:Ovum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015034:Zinc Oxide
keywords: ZnO nanoparticle; hen; metabolism; yolk lipid