Nickel as a “Newer Trace Element” in the Nutrition of Domestic Animals

Abstract

Evidence is reviewed that indicates Ni is an essential element for the chick, rat, pig, sheep and goat. Although a number of possible functions for Ni have been proposed based on in vitro and in vivo studies, the physiological role of Ni in the mammalian or avian system is presently unknown. Rumen bacterial urease has been shown to be a Ni-dependent enzyme and Ni is a component of factor F430 present in methanogenic bacteria. Nickel can interact or influence the metabolism of a number of minerals. Interactions of Ni and Fe, Zn and Cu are discussed. The requirement for Ni is low (50 to 60 ppb) in chicks fed semipurified diets. Insufficient data are available to estimate the Ni requirement of swine. In ruminants, the Ni requirement appears to be higher than that for other animal species. Nickel supplementation to practical diets has increased gain, feed efficiency and ruminal urease activity in ruminants, but performance results have been inconsistent. Level of crude protein and urea are two factors that influence ruminant responses to dietary Ni. The greatest responses have been observed in ruminants fed low protein diets. Little is known concerning levels, forms and bioavailability of Ni in different feedstuffs. Nickel is homeostatically controlled in the animal's body and high levels of Ni are required to cause toxicity.

The levels of trace elements and selected vitamins in goats with chronic fluorosis

“…Moreover, Bennis et al (2) explained that higher urea concentrations could be related to restricted food intake, which determines an increase of protein breakdown and thus of urea excretion. When considering the above points (2,5,20,31), the decreased Ni levels in the present study might be speculated to be connected with hypoproteinemia. Hypoproteinemia can cause a negative energy balance such that ruminal degradation of urea can be increased, ultimately increasing the usage of urease, which may cause a decrease in the Ni level.…”

“…Serum Ni levels in ruminants with fluorosis could not be cited from the literature, but rumen bacterial urease has been shown to be a Ni-dependent enzyme and Ni is a component of factor F 430 , present in methanogenic bacteria (31). Furthermore, researchers reported that serum urea concentrations increased (2,5,20) while total protein levels decreased in animals with fluorosis (2,5).…”

Nickel Chloride (NiCl2) Induces Histopathological Lesions via Oxidative Damage in the Broiler’s Bursa of Fabricius

“…It occurs in soil, water, and biosphere. Ni is not only an essential element for more than 100 compounds but also an essential element for many animals, microorganisms, and plants [1][2][3]. In animals, Ni deficiency inhibits growth, reduces reproductive rate, alters glucose and lipid metabolism, and is associated with anemia, low hemoglobin values, and alterations of metal ion contents [4].…”

Scientific Opinion on the risks to animal and public health and the environment related to the presence of nickel in feed

“…Both types of data are reviewed here in view of their potential usefulness in understanding the modalities of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of the ingested Ni. The present section does not consider results of investigations, carried out with rather low levels of Ni dietary supplementation (often in the order of µg/kg rather than mg/kg feed) and mainly intended to investigate beneficial rather than adverse effects of Ni in different livestock species (Spears, 1984;Bersényi et al, 2004;Prasad and Gowda, 2005;Schaumlöffel, 2012 .1 % and 95.8 % of the added Ni in the three treated groups, respectively, while only very low levels of Ni were excreted by the animals whose diet was not supplemented. Tissue Ni distribution at the two lower Ni levels did not differ from that in control animals.…”