Nanotechnology in Veterinary Sector: Current Applications, Limitations and Future Perspective

The applications of nanotechnology-based tools in nanomedicine provide efficient solutions for health-related complications. The nano-systems retain several advantages in terms of bioavailability, quantity, and targeted drug delivery compared to their macro-counterparts. The nano-systems are diverse and include metallic nanoparticles, liposomes, nanospheres, carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, polymeric micelles, nanoshells, and polymer-coated nanocrystals. In the medical field, nanoparticles have several preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic indications. The encapsulation of antibiotics with nanocarriers increases the therapeutic effects and prevents side effects. The nano-encapsulation techniques are considered as exceptional alternatives for traditional delivery systems. Further, administering antibiotics through nanoparticle-based delivery systems prevents the accumulation of residues in meat and milk products. Apart from the ideal drug delivery systems, the nanoforms of probiotics, prebiotics, nutraceuticals, vitamins, and nutritional supplements increase the production performance of livestock. The immunomodulatory and growth-promoting effects of nano-nutrients are well-recognized. Under the therapeutic category, majority of the works were on silver followed by gold nanoparticles. The nano-zinc forms could be successfully used in reducing piglet diarrhea and somatic cell count of dairy cows. Nanoparticles have a great impact in treating reproductive problems such as retained placenta, silent heat, and repeat breeding. Most of the biomedical nano-research is projected toward vaccine production owing to their ability to improve immunological responses. The poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles are considered as efficient delivery systems for anthrax and influenza vaccines. Nanotechnology is recommended to use for treating a wide variety of diseases, from allergies to cancers. Although most of the nanotechnology-based particles are safe, few factors such as drug interaction, antagonistic action, toxicity, dosage, risk management, and accumulation-induced cytotoxicity have to be well-reviewed before their judicious usage. Moreover, appropriate characterization and toxicological data creation of nano-feed additives are prerequisites to permit their usage in animals. The nanotechnology-related studies in livestock are seldom compared to humans. Hence, this chapter discusses the scope of nanotechnology and its current applications, limitations, and future prospects in the veterinary sector.