# The effect of biogenic selenium nanoparticles (Cissus quadrangularis) on the performance and antioxidant status of piglets in the climatic conditions of Zambia

## TL;DR

This study explores how biogenic selenium nanoparticles from Cissus quadrangularis may support piglet growth and antioxidant status in tropical conditions.

## Contribution

The study introduces biogenic selenium nanoparticles from Cissus quadrangularis as a potential supplement for tropical pig production.

## Key findings

- CQ-SeNPs showed numerically better growth performance compared to control and inorganic selenium.
- No significant differences in body weight trends suggest minimal stress under moderate temperatures.
- CQ-SeNPs may support growth under oxidative or thermal stress, but more research is needed.

## Abstract

Thermal stress limits sustainable pig production in tropical regions by impairing growth, feed efficiency, and welfare. This study evaluated dietary Cissus quadrangularis selenium nanoparticles (CQ-SeNPs) for supporting growth performance and antioxidant capacity in pigs under natural tropical conditions in Zambia. Thirty-three weaner pigs were randomly assigned to three diets: control (basal), inorganic selenium (Na₂SeO₃), or CQ-SeNPs, and monitored for 30 days under moderate ambient temperatures below heat stress thresholds (27–32 °C for lighter and 18–28 °C for heavier piglets). Growth performance, including body weight, average daily gain (ADG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR), was measured. CQ-SeNPs supplemented pigs showed numerically higher ADG (267 g/day) and lower FCR (1.98) compared with control (264 g/day, 1.99) and Na₂SeO₃ (253 g/day, 2.04), but differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Body weight trends were similar across treatments, indicating limited activation of stress-related physiological pathways under these conditions. These results indicate that CQ-SeNPs supplementation is safe and may support growth under oxidative or thermal challenge, though further studies under defined heat stress are needed to confirm efficacy. Overall, findings highlight the potential of phytogenic selenium nanoparticles in developing climate-adaptive feeding strategies for sustainable swine production in tropical regions.