Nanoparticle of zinc oxide as a functional feed

Abstract

In this project the validity of zinc oxide nanoparticle (Zn-NP) supplementation in ruminant as a functional feed will be investigated, integrating different areas of knowledge (inter and multidisciplinary) such as chemistry, microbiology and animal sciences (nutrology , parasitology, genetics, reproduction and immunology) using advances of the "Omics" era. In an inedited and innovative way, we intend to select Zn-NP with high bioavailability and greater permanence in the animal organism promoting better animal performance and a more efficient production system with the possibility of presenting a new form of Zn supplementation to the animals and product to be marketed. In the sustainable production of ruminants, the use of pasture as a source of ruminant feed is critical to maintaining ruminant health and promoting animal welfare, but in this scenario, infection by endoparasites is unavoidable. In addition, there is an intimate relationship between the gastrointestinal microbiota and ruminant performance. The objective of this project is to identify and characterize Zn-NP and its effect on nutrition, fetal programming, immune response, and reproduction, on the endoparasite Haemonchus contortus (egg, larva and adult), the gastrointestinal microbiota (taxonomic diversity, and antimicrobial resistance), and the interaction between them in sheep. This proposal brings together the Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture/USP, Institute of Biosciences/UNESP, Institute of Animal Science/IZ, Butantan Institute, Biology Institute/University of Brasilia, University of Reading/UK and University of Florida/USA. A series of in vitro and in vivo studies (detailed in the proposal) will be carried out in order to achieve the overall goal of the project. (AU)