Application of silver nanoparticles in poultry production

Nano-dimensioned materials have become the contemporary area of interest, for their application in the fields of animal nutrition, health, production, and many other such factors. Due to the higher surface area to volume ratio, these particles act better than their bulky counterparts. In this review, various aspects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and their effects on late incubational development and metabolism, post-hatch immune response, and expression of immune genes have been dealt with. However, impacts of intervention AgNPs are yet to be fully assessed on post-hatch growth, nutrient-gene interaction, and disease resistance in chicken. They can also act as a carrier for nutrients such as amino acids, vitamins, and trace elements for their effective utilization. AgNPs interact with viruses, bacteria, and the immune system as well and have all the potential to become as alternative health-promoting agents for poultry. The present review highlights the use of AgNPs for improving livestock production in chicken.