Effects of Nano Zinc Oxide-Enriched Diets on Bone Morphometry and Biomechanical Strength in Japanese Quails

Abstract

Zinc is an essential trace element critical for numerous biological functions, including bone development, enzyme activity, and immune response. This study investigated the effects of zinc oxide (ZnO) and nano zinc oxide (NZn) supplementation on bone morphometry and biomechanical properties in Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica). A total of 118 one-day-old quails were divided into three groups: control (C), zinc oxide (Zn), and nano zinc oxide (NZn), with each group further subdivided into replicates. Diets were formulated to provide 75 mg/kg zinc, with additional zinc sources added to achieve the desired levels. Morphometric and biomechanical analyses were conducted using a 3-point bending test to evaluate tibiotarsus bone strength and structural properties. Results indicated that the NC group exhibited a significantly higher external mediolateral diameter (ExtMLD) compared to the Zn and C groups (P = 0.003), suggesting enhanced periosteal bone growth with NZn supplementation. However, no significant differences were observed in internal diameters or biomechanical parameters such as breaking force, moment of inertia, strength, stiffness, and elastic modulus among the groups (P>0.05). Sex-based comparisons revealed that female quails in the Zn and C groups had significantly higher breaking force and moment of inertia compared to males (P < 0.05). Still, no such differences were observed in the NZn group. These findings suggest that while NZn may positively influence specific morphometric parameters, its impact on biomechanical strength remains limited. The study highlights the need for further research to elucidate the mechanisms underlying zinc's effects on bone development.

Keywords

• Biomechanic
• bone morphometry
• Japanese quails
• zinc.

Nano Çinko Oksit ile Zenginleştirilmiş Diyetlerin Japon Bıldırcınlarında Kemik Morfometrisi ve Biyomekanik Dayanıklılık Üzerindeki Etkileri

Abstract

Çinko, kemik gelişimi, enzim aktivitesi ve bağışıklık yanıtı da dahil olmak üzere birçok biyolojik fonksiyon için kritik olan temel bir eser elementtir. Bu çalışma, çinko oksit (ZnO) ve nano çinko oksit (NZn) takviyesinin Japon bıldırcınlarında (Coturnix coturnix japonica) tibiotarsus kemiğinin morfometrisi ve biyomekanik özellikleri üzerindeki etkilerini araştırmıştır. Toplam 118 adet bir günlük bıldırcın, kontrol (C), çinko oksit (Zn) ve nano çinko oksit (NZn) olmak üzere üç gruba ayrılmış ve her grup kendi içinde alt gruplara bölünmüştür. Diyetler, 75 mg/kg çinko sağlayacak şekilde formüle edilmiş ve belirlenen düzeylere ulaşmak için ek çinko kaynakları kullanılmıştır. Morfometrik ve biyomekanik analizler, kemik dayanıklılığı ve yapısal özellikleri değerlendirmek amacıyla üç nokta eğme testi kullanılarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Sonuçlar, NZn grubunun dış mediolateral çapının (ExtMLD) Zn ve C gruplarına kıyasla anlamlı derecede daha yüksek olduğunu (P = 0,003) göstermiştir, bu da NZn takviyesinin periosteal kemik büyümesini artırabileceğini düşündürmektedir. Ancak, gruplar arasında iç çaplar veya kırılma kuvveti, atalet momenti, mukavemet, rijitlik ve elastik modül gibi biyomekanik parametrelerde anlamlı bir farklılık gözlenmemiştir (P > 0,05). Cinsiyete bağlı karşılaştırmalarda, Zn ve C gruplarındaki dişi bıldırcınların kırılma kuvveti ve atalet momenti değerlerinin erkeklere kıyasla anlamlı derecede daha yüksek olduğu tespit edilmiştir (P < 0,05), ancak NZn grubunda benzer bir fark bulunmamıştır. Bu bulgular, NZn’nun belirli morfometrik parametreler üzerinde olumlu etkiler gösterebileceğini ancak biyomekanik dayanıklılık üzerindeki etkisinin sınırlı olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Çalışma, çinkonun kemik gelişimi üzerindeki etkilerini açıklığa kavuşturmak amacıyla daha ileri araştırmalara ihtiyaç olduğunu vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

• Biyomekanik
• çinko
• Japon bıldırcını
• kemik morfometrisi.

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