title: Effect of in ovo supplementation of nano forms of zinc, copper, and selenium on post-hatch performance of broiler chicken.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Nanoparticles can bypass conventional physiological ways of nutrient distribution and transport across tissue and cell membranes, as well as protect compounds against destruction prior to reaching their targets. In ovo administration of nanoparticles, may be seen as a new method of nano-nutrition, providing embryos with an additional quantity of nutrients. The aim of the study is to examine the effect of in ovo supplementation of nano forms of zinc, copper and selenium on the hatchability and post hatch performance of broiler chicken.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nano form of zinc at 20, 40, 60 and 80 µg/egg, nano form of copper at 4, 8, 12 and 16 µg/egg and nano form of selenium at 0.075, 0.15, 0.225 and 0.3 µg/egg were in ovo supplemented (18(th) day incubation, amniotic route) in fertile broiler eggs. Control group in ovo fed with normal saline alone was also maintained. Each treatment had thirty replicates. Parameters such as hatchability, hatch weight and post hatch performance were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In ovo feeding of nano minerals were not harmful to the developing embryo and did not influence the hatchability. Significantly (p<0.05) best feed efficiency for nano forms of zinc (2.16), copper (2.46) and selenium (2.51) were observed, when 40, 4 and 0.225 µg/egg respectively were in ovo supplemented. Except in nano form of copper at 12 µg per egg which had significantly (p<0.05) highest breast muscle percentage there was no distinct trend to indicate that dressing percentage or breast muscle yield was influenced in other treatments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nano forms of zinc, copper and selenium can be prepared at laboratory conditions. In ovo feeding of nano forms of zinc, copper and selenium at 18(th) day of incubation through amniotic route does not harm the developing embryo, does not affect hatchability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Sri Muthukumaran Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: P Patric
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Joshua
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Valli
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Nutrition, Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Balakrishnan
keywords: and post hatch performance; hatch weight; hatchability; in ovo feeding; nanoparticles