Effect of inorganic, organic and nano zinc supplemented diets on bioavailability and immunity status of broilers

Two hundred and eighty unsexed broiler chicks were distributed randomly into seven dietary treatments (D). The diets were D1: basal diet + mineral mixture without Zn; D2: D1 + 15ppm inorganic Zn; D3: D1 + 15ppm organic Zn; D4: D1 + 7.5ppm organic Zn; D5: D1 + 0.3ppm nano Zn; D6: D1 + 0.06ppm nano Zn; D7: D1 + 0.03ppm nano Zn. Zn concentration in tibia bone, liver and blood serum were the highest in the birds of D6 which differed significantly (P<0.05) with the remaining dietary groups. In case of muscles, the Zn level was highest in the birds of D3 which varied significantly (P<0.05) with that of D1 and D7. The antibody titre to SRBC shows significantly (P<0.05) higher titer levels in D3 and D6 when compared to that of D1 and D2. The CBH response was found to be highest in D3 which differed significantly (P<0.05) with that of D1 and D2. The relative weight of spleen in D3 was significantly (P<0.05) higher than all the other groups. The percent weight of bursa was highest in the birds of D6 which varied significantly (P<0.05) with D1, D4 and D5. Significantly higher (P<0.05) relative weight of thymus was observed in the broilers of D3 when compared to that of D1, D4 and D5. Hence, it was found that 15 ppm organic Zn and 0.06 ppm nano Zn when added to the basal diet improved the health status of the broiler birds.