Evaluation of zinc oxide nanoparticle influence as a dietary supplement on performance and immune response against gastrointestinal nematode infections in sheep

Abstract

Zinc is a micromineral involved in the immune response that has recently become available as zinc oxide nanoparticles. This work aims to evaluate the influence of dietary supplementation of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the performance and immune response of sheep naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes. For this, 28 lambs will be divided into two groups of 14 animals each: each animal in Group 1 will consume, every day, for 120 days, a capsule containing 150 mg of zinc oxide nanoparticles, while each animal in Group 2 will consume, every day, a capsule containing hay (placebo). The animals only source of zinc will be through these capsules. Faecal samples from all animals will be collected every 14 days to count eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) and for faecal cultures. On the same date, blood samples will also be collected for determination of the globular volume, total plasma protein and the number of circulating eosinophils, as well as plasma for ELISA tests to detect specific IgG antibodies against Haemonchus contortus. In addition, bromatological analysis of the pasture and concentrate will be done monthly, and production performance and weather data will also be recorded. Statistical analyses will be performed using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) at a 5% significance level. Repeated measures variables will be analyzed using the generalized linear procedure (PROC GLM).