Anthelmintic Activity of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Against the Goose Nematode Heterakis dispar (Schrank, 1790): An In Vitro Study

In recent years, nanoparticles have been widely used in many fields, including biology and medicine. Helminthiasis pathogens continue to be detected in poultry farms, seriously affecting the quality of poultry meat. Therefore, the search for new anthelmintic agents has become an important area of research. Iron nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 NPs) are physically and chemically stable and safe for the environment. Synthesized and characterized Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were tested in vitro against the nematode Heterakis dispar at concentrations of 50 and 100 μg/mL. The entry pathways of the particles into the parasite, their migration, bioaccumulation, and the resulting pathologies were studied at the ultrastructural level. It was found that the size of the nanoparticles was 8.04–17.95 nm, and in the parasite’s body, it was 10–12 nm. Nanoparticles were visually identified in all layers of the body wall of the parasite, in the structural elements involved in the organization of the wall of the digestive organs, and in the reproductive organs (male and female). It was found that the nanoparticles entered the nematode through the integumentary tissue and digestive organs. As the concentration of nanoparticles increased, the duration of helminth destruction was significantly shorter compared to the control. Serious pathologies were noted at the ultrastructural level in the nematode’s cuticle, hypodermis, muscular layer, excretory canal, nerve elements, intestine, and reproductive organs. The obtained results provide grounds to conclude that Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles have anthelmintic properties against the H. dispar nematode.