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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
Salinity-dependent Toxicity Assay of Silver Nanocolloids Using Medaka Eggs
Published on: March 18, 2016
Comparative Effects of Azadirachta indica-Derived Silver Nanoparticles and Silver Nitrate on the Productive and
Swaira Ashfaq1, Shabana Naz1, Sania Satti1
1Department of Zoology, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Background:
Silver compounds, particularly silver nitrate (AgNO3), have been widely studied for their effects on poultry health and reproduction. However, limited information is available regarding the impact of green synthesized silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs).
Objective:
This study aimed to compare the effects of Ag-NPs and AgNO3 on productivity, egg quality, reproductive performance, and male sexual behaviour in Japanese quails.
Methods:
A total of 480 Japanese quails (8 weeks old) were randomly divided into five experimental groups (96 birds each) with six replicates and a male-to-female sex ratio of 1:3. The control group received a basal diet, while four treatment groups were supplemented with Ag-NPs (10 and 20 mg/kg) or AgNO3 (10 and 20 mg/kg). The experiment lasted 9 weeks. Productive performance, egg quality traits, fertility, hatchability, and male sexual behaviours were evaluated.
Results:
Quails supplemented with 20 mg/kg Ag-NPs showed significantly improved productive performance and egg quality parameters (p < 0.05). This group also exhibited the highest fertility and hatchability rates. Additionally, male quails in the 20 mg/kg Ag-NPs group demonstrated enhanced sexual behaviours, including wing flapping, waltzing, mounting, tidbitting, rear approach, and treading, compared to other groups.
Conclusion:
Dietary supplementation with Ag-NPs, particularly at 20 mg/kg, significantly improved productive and reproductive performance, egg quality, and male sexual behaviour compared to AgNO3 in Japanese quails.
