Lycopene nanoparticles deliver targeted improvements in broilers' performance, immune competence, antioxidant defense, and resistance against Pasteurella multocida infection.

Avian pasteurellosis induced by Pasteurella multocida is marked by suboptimal performance and elevated mortality rates in broilers. An innovative dietary intervention utilizing lycopene-NPs was assessed for its efficacy on growth performance, general well-being, immune system, antioxidant capacity, and resistance to P. multocida in broilers. Five equal groups consisting of 250 broilers were administered either a basal diet or diets enriched with lycopene-NPs at levels of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg and were experimentally infected with a multidrug-resistant and multi-virulent P. multocida strain at 28 d of age. The incorporation of dietary lycopene-NPs, particularly at higher levels, significantly diminished P. multocida colonization, abundance, and the transcription of its virulence genes (pfhA, exbB, ompA, sodA, and sodC), thereby ameliorating the compromised growth performance and lung histomorphological alterations in challenged broilers. Broilers fortified with lycopene-NPs, particularly at a dosage of 150 mg/kg, exhibited downregulation of inflammation-regulated genes (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, CCL4, CCL20, and CD36), and upregulation of mucosal barrier gene (MUC2). The lung redox balance improved due to the overexpression of NQO1, HO-1, and Nrf2 genes, and an elevation in the levels of T-AOC, GPX, SOD, and CAT enzymes, accompanied by a concurrent downregulation in the COX2 gene, besides reductions in H2O2, ROS, and MDA levels in broilers offered 150 mg/kg lycopene-NPs. Ultimately, novel dietary intervention with lycopene-NPs significantly enhanced immunological and antioxidant potential, mitigated avian pasteurellosis, and improved performance and overall health in challenged broilers.