Effect of nano copper on visceral organs and the contents of trace elements in weanling pigs

Abstract

We determine the effect of nano copper on visceral organs and contents of trace elements in organs and serum in weanling pigs. Our results showed that following supplementary concentration with 25, 50 and 200 mg/kg/day of nano copper, contents of copper shows trend of increasing in liver, kidney and intestinal; and ferrum shows gradually decreasing. The histopathological examination showed hemolysis, degeneration, nucleus pycnosis in liver, while renal tubular epithelial cell exfoliation and lymphocyte infiltration were found in kidney on supplementation of high concentration of nano-copper. Therefore, dietary supplementation of nano-copper 25 mg/kg b.wt could be a potential substitute for weaning piglets.

Keywords:

• Nano copper
• trace elements
• liver
• kidney
• histopathological

Disclosure statement

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by Supported by Hubei Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant No: 2014CFB244], Supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities [Program No: 2011PYO78].