Nano copper in the diet of laying quails: productive performance, metabolism, and tissue concentration

The study evaluated the use of nano copper in semi-purified diets for laying quails and its effect on performance, metabolic state, and bioavailability. A total of 160 (180-days-old) quails were distributed in a completely randomized design, in a 3x3+1 factorial. The copper sources used were copper sulfate, copper oxide, and nano copper oxide, at levels of 200, 400, and 800 ppm each, totaling nine treatments plus a negative control (with no copper inclusion). The following variables were determined: weight gain, feed intake, egg production, egg weight, hemoglobin, hematocrit, Cu in the tissues and Cu bioavailability. Data were subjected to analysis of variance at 5% probability. The effect of sources and levels, as well as the interaction between the factors were evaluated. When interaction was observed, the effect of sources was evaluated separately by the Tukey's test and the effect of levels by regression, both at 5% probability. Copper nano oxide can be used at up to 800 ppm in the diet of laying quails without altering the productive performance, and with higher bioavailability than conventional copper oxide. Hemoglobin increases with the inclusion of 200 and 400 ppm of nano copper oxide and the hematocrit with 400 ppm.