Nanotechnology and its applications in Veterinary and Animal Science

Abstract

Nanotechnology has a tremendous potential to revolutionize agriculture and livestock sector. It can provide new tools for molecular and cellular biology, biotechnology, veterinary physiology, animal genetics, reproduction etc. which will allow researchers to handle biological materials such as DNA, proteins or cells in minute quantities usually nano-liters or pico-liters. Nanotechnology tools like microfluidics, nanomaterials, bioanalytical nanosensors, etc. has the potential to solve many more puzzles related to animal health, production, reproduction and prevention and treatment of diseases. It is reasonable to presume that in the upcoming year’s nanotechnology research will reform the science and technology of the animal health and will help to boost up the livestock production. Nanotechnology will have a profound impact, but not in the immediate future as it is in the early stages of its development and needs to equip scientists, engineers and biologists to work at the cellular and molecular levels for significant benefits in healthcare and animal medicine. But It is reasonable to presume that in the upcoming year’s nanotechnology research will revolutionize animal health and help to boost up livestock production. [Vet World 2009; 2(12.000): 475-477

Use Areas of Nanotechnology in Veterinary Medicine

“…It is used in animal husbandry to physically classify sperm and eggs. Microfluidics and nanofluidic are the systems analyzed by controlling the flow of fluid and gases via a number of channels and valves [13].…”

“…Carriers can provide food substances to be resistant to proteases and other denaturing compounds, and prevention of their stabilities to pH and temperature changes. Nanotechnology can also be used during the process, storage and distribution of micro-nutrients to increase their stabilities [10][11][12][13][14].…”

“…via IP system, it is possible to access the records on the farm origin, the environmental applications used for production, food safety, animal welfare and the protocols of supplier for giving information to consumers and stakeholders. Quality assurance in the safety of agricultural and animal originated products can be significantly enhanced via IP at nanoscale [13].…”

Applications of Nanotechnology in Agriculture: An Overview

“…Breeding suitable time and cross management in livestock, requires cost and long time in dairy cattle farms. Use of nano-tubes inside the skin of the livestock shows peak realtime of estrus and estrogen hormone, and the exact and actual time insemination (Scott, 2005, Patil et al, 2009and Chakravarthi & Balaji, 2010.…”

Nanotechnology developments: opportunities for animal health and production

“…Microfluidic biochips are being used to segregate male sperm from female eggs for sex selection for animal breeding. 86 Microfluidic devices can not only sort sperm and eggs, but also bring them together in a way that mimics the movement of natural reproduction. This technique would make mass production of embryos cheap, quick and reliable.…”