10. The Effect of Chemically-Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles on Performance and the Histology and Microbiological Profile of the Jejunum in Chickens

The aim of the study was to analyse how per os application of hydrocolloids of silver nanoparticles (22 nm) and lipid-coated nanosilver hydrocolloids (5 nm) affect the microbiological status and morphology of the jejunum of broiler chickens and their growth performance. The experiment was conducted on 60 chickens. The first group was the control. The chickens in group II received a silver nanoparticle hydrocolloid (Ag-nano) at a dose of 5 mg/kg b.w./day. The chickens in group III received a lipid-coated nanosilver hydrocolloid (AgL-nano) at a dose of 5 mg/kg b.w./day. Samples of digesta were taken from the jejunum during dissection and the total numbers of fungi, aerobic bacteria and bacteria of the coli group were determined in the samples. Samples of the jejunum were also collected during dissection to determine the length of the villi and depth of the crypts. The silver nanoparticles had no effect on growth performance or the histological picture of the jejunum. An increase was noted in the total number of aerobic mesophilic bacteria and a decrease in the number of coli group bacteria, which are facultative anaerobes, which indicates that the nanosilver had a selective effect on the microflora of the digestive tract in the chickens.