Effects of silver nanoparticles and activated charcoal on performance, egg quality, egg antioxidant capacity and some blood parameters in laying hens

This study investigated the effects of silver nanoparticles and activated charcoal added to laying hen diets on performance, egg quality characteristics, yolk antioxidant capacity, and some serum parameters. For this purpose, 3 groups were formed with 72 animals and 24 hens (Brown Nick, 30 weeks old, N = 24) in each group. Control (C) and was fed only basal feed. The other two were experimental groups (Nano-Ag, Nano Ag + AC). The experimental groups were fed with 20 mg/kg silver nanoparticles and a combination of 20 mg/kg silver nanoparticles and 200 mg/kg activated charcoal, respectively. The experiment lasted for 9 weeks, one week of which was the acclimatization period. During the experiment, feed and water were given ad-libitum to the hens, and a photoperiod of 16 hours per day was applied. In the study, performance (body weight gain, egg weight, egg production, egg mass, daily feed intake, and feed conversion ratio), egg quality parameters (egg weight, shape index, Haugh unit, albumen index, yolk index, eggshell thickness, eggshell weight, and yolk L, a, b values), egg antioxidant properties (yolk TBARS value and DPPH radical scavenging activity) and some serum biochemistry parameters (total cholesterol, total protein, AST, ALP, and ALT) were evaluated. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding performance parameters and yolk TBARS value (p>0.05). Among the egg quality traits, only yolk L (p<0.001) and a (p<0.001) values were affected by Nano-Ag and AK in the diet. The highest yolk L and values were in the Nano-Ag group. There was a significant difference between the groups regarding yolk DPPH radical scavenging activity value (p<0.001). The highest egg yolk DPPH value was determined in the Nano Ag + AK group. Among the serum biochemistry parameters, only ALP (p<0.05) and AST (p<0.001) values were affected by the additives in the diet. The highest serum ALP and AST levels were found in the Nano-Ag group. ALP and AST values were lower in the K and Nano-Ag + AK groups. In conclusion, although Nano-Ag increased ALP and AST values due to its toxic effect, the combination of Nano-Ag and AK decreased these values, which seems promising. In future studies, evaluating the effects of different doses of silver nanoparticles and activated charcoal combinations on performance, product quality, and cytotoxicity in laying hens is important.