Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Either Zinc Oxide or Nano-Zinc Oxide on Growth Performance, some Serum Biochemical Parameters, Androgen Receptor Gene Expression and Microscopical Structure of the Testis in Growing V-Line Male Rabbits
Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Either Zinc Oxide or Nano-Zinc Oxide on Growth Performance, some Serum Biochemical Parameters, Androgen Receptor Gene Expression and Microscopical Structure of the Testis in Growing V-Line Male Rabbits
Ahmed H. El-Anwar, Eid A. Mabrouk, Khaled M. Ali, Nermeen A. Helmy, Rehab M. Reda*
ABSTRACT
This study is directed to assess the impacts of either zinc oxide (ZnO) or nano-zinc oxide (n-ZnO) dietary supplementation on the growth trials, some serum biochemical parameters, and testicular functions in growing V-line male rabbits. A total of 45 V-line were randomly separated into 3 equal groups; the first group (acted as control) was fed on a plain ration, and the two other groups (second and third groups) were nourished for 3 months on a plain diet supplemented with 60 mg ZnO/ kg and 60 mg n-ZnO/ kg, respectively. Growth performances; body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), food consumption (FC), and food conversion ratio (FCR), as well as serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), and testosterone were recorded monthly. The study also extended to examine androgen receptor (AR) gene expression and microscopical structure of testicular tissue at the end of the 5th-month-old. Results revealed that the n-ZnO group exhibited significant (P ≤ 0.05) improvement over that of the ZnO group on all growth performances and serum biochemical parameters compared with the control group except for FC, T3, and T4, which were insignificantly changed. Moreover, AR gene expression and microscopical findings of the testis exhibited a significant improvement in the 2nd and 3rd groups compared to the control group. It could be concluded that either ZnO or n-ZnO dietary supplementation acts as an ameliorative tool for production and reproduction in growing V-line male rabbits however, the n-ZnO is more effective.
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