Microstructure of the Kidneys and Liver of Naked Neck Chickens under the Influence of Silver Nanoparticle Preparation

The ban or restriction on the use of antibiotics in livestock, particularly in poultry farming, has prompted the search for alternatives with bactericidal activity and enhanced productivity. Such means include preparations obtained using nanotechnology, in particular, nanosilver. To determine the effectiveness of nanosilver in chicken farming, two groups of 25 day-old Naked Neck chickens were formed. The nanosilver preparation was administered to the chickens in the experimental group at a rate of 0.4 mg/l in water for 14 days of rearing. It was found that the nanosilver preparation increased the body weight of the chickens by 19.8%, the kidney weight by 10.3%, and the length by 4.6%. No significant effect of nanosilver on the structure of nephrocytes and nephron tubules and morphometric indicators of the kidneys was detected, but in some cases, signs of a slight increase in the lumen of the renal corpuscle capsule and desquamation of epithelial cells of the renal tubules were recorded. In some areas, cystic dilatation of the renal parenchymal tubules and moderate vascular filling were observed. Under the influence of nanosilver, the absolute mass of a chicken liver increased by 8.7%, the volume of hepatocytes by 11.8%, and the nucleocytoplasmic ratio of hepatocytes by 8.4%. The cytoplasm of hepatocytes of the experimental group of chickens had a looser consistency than that of the control birds, and the sinusoidal capillaries were dilated. In some cases, focal infiltration with polymorphic cells, vessel dilation, and blood filling of the vessels, forming hepatic triads, were observed around the vessels. The regenerative function of the liver in chickens under the influence of nanosilver was characterised by the presence of both mononuclear and binuclear cells. The results of the studies show that feeding Naked Neck dual-purpose chickens nanosilver preparation at a dose of 0.4 mg/l did not cause a pronounced toxic effect on the microstructure of the liver and kidneys, and increased body weight. This could provide a rationale for further studies on the quality and safety of poultry slaughter products when nanosilver is used as a productivity enhancer and bactericidal agent.