Animal Nutrition Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana 132001, India.
Animal Nutrition Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana 132001, India.
J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2023 Sep;79:127250. doi: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2023.127250. Epub 2023 Jun 28.
Nickel has been identified as an important newer trace mineral playing essential role in animals however, its precise mechanism of action in the body is yet to be determined. Interaction of Ni with other essential minerals is suggested in reports limited to lab animals and needs to be explored further in large animals.
This study was conducted to study the influence of Ni supplementation at different levels, on minerals and health status of crossbred dairy calves.
Twenty-four Karan Fries crossbred (Tharparkar × Holstein Friesian) male dairy calves were selected based on body weight (137.09 ± 5.68) and age (10.78 ± 0.61) and were divided into 4 treatment groups (n = 6) given basal diet supplemented with 0 (Ni0), 5 (Ni5), 7.5 (Ni7.5) and 10 (Ni10) ppm Ni/kg of DM. Nickel was supplemented in the form of nickel sulphate hexahydrate (NiSO.6 HO) solution. To ensure the intake of the required amount of nickel by each animal, the calculated quantity of solution was mixed with 250 g concentrate mixture and offered individually to the calves. The calves were fed total mixed ration (TMR) consisting of green fodder, wheat straw and concentrate mixture in the ratio of 40:20:40 and the nutritional requirements were met according to NRC (2001) guidelines. Growth performance was recorded at fortnightly interval whereas, plasma minerals, haematology, antioxidant and immunity parameters were studied at monthly interval during the 150-day experimental period. Nutrient utilization and mineral balances were estimated with the help of a metabolism trial conducted at the end of feeding trial.
Supplementation of Ni exhibited no influence on dry matter intake (DMI), body weight, average daily gain (ADG) and nutrient digestibility of dairy calves. However, the absorption and balance of minerals such as Ni, Fe, Cu, Zn and their respective plasma concentration increased (P < 0.05) with Ni supplementation and highest values were observed in calves fed 10 mg Ni/kg DM. The red blood cell (RBC) count, haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, haematocrit (HCT) and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase antioxidant enzymes showed highest increase (P < 0.05) in calves supplemented with Ni at level of 10 mg/kg DM as compared to other treatment groups. However, white blood cell (WBC) count, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), total antioxidant status (TAS), total immunoglobulins and IgG plasma concentration remained unaltered with addition of different levels of Ni in the diet of calves.
The supplementation of Ni at level of 10 mg/kg DM shows a positive effect on status of trace minerals such as Fe, Cu, Zn and improves the physiological conditions and health status of crossbred dairy calves indicated by improved haematology and antioxidant parameters.
镍已被确定为一种重要的新型痕量矿物质，在动物体内发挥着重要作用，但它在体内的确切作用机制尚未确定。有报道称，镍与其他必需矿物质的相互作用仅限于实验动物，需要在大型动物中进一步研究。
本研究旨在研究不同水平的镍补充对杂交奶牛犊矿物质和健康状况的影响。
根据体重（137.09 ± 5.68）和年龄（10.78 ± 0.61），选择 24 头卡兰 Fries 杂交（Tharparkar × Holstein Friesian）雄性奶牛犊，分为 4 个处理组（n = 6），分别饲喂基础日粮，添加 0（Ni0）、5（Ni5）、7.5（Ni7.5）和 10（Ni10）ppm Ni/kg DM。镍以六水合硫酸镍（NiSO.6 HO）溶液的形式补充。为确保每只动物摄入所需量的镍，计算出的溶液量与 250g 浓缩混合物混合，并单独提供给犊牛。犊牛饲喂总混合日粮（TMR），由绿色饲料、小麦秸秆和浓缩混合物组成，比例为 40:20:40，并根据 NRC（2001）指南满足营养需求。每隔两周记录一次生长性能，每隔一个月记录一次血浆矿物质、血液学、抗氧化和免疫参数，在 150 天的实验期间。借助饲养试验结束时进行的代谢试验来估计养分利用率和矿物质平衡。
镍的补充对奶牛犊的干物质采食量（DMI）、体重、平均日增重（ADG）和养分消化率没有影响。然而，随着镍的补充，镍、铁、铜、锌等矿物质的吸收和平衡增加（P < 0.05），以 10mg/kg DM 饲喂的犊牛的数值最高。红细胞（RBC）计数、血红蛋白（Hb）浓度、红细胞压积（HCT）以及超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和过氧化氢酶抗氧化酶的活性均有最高的增加（P < 0.05），与其他处理组相比，10mg/kg DM 水平下补充镍的犊牛。然而，白细胞（WBC）计数、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GPx）、总抗氧化状态（TAS）、总免疫球蛋白和 IgG 血浆浓度在添加不同水平的镍时保持不变。
在 10mg/kg DM 水平补充镍对铁、铜、锌等痕量矿物质的状态有积极影响，并通过改善血液学和抗氧化参数来改善杂交奶牛犊的生理状况和健康状况。
