Impact of Nickel Supplementation on Growth, Antioxidant and Immune Status of Sahiwal Growing Heifers

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the impact of nickel (Ni) supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant and immune status on Sahiwal growing heifers. Twenty-one Sahiwal growing heifers (6-12 months old) were selected from the herd maintained at Livestock Research Complex (LRC), SVPUAT, Meerut Uttar Pradesh India, for the period of 90 days. Experimental heifers were blocked into three groups (n=7) according to body weight (122.60±8.98 kg) and age (9.29±0.75 months) basis. 1. Group N0 was acted as a control and provided a basal diet without nickel supplementation. 2. Group N2 was supplemented withnickel@2.0 mg/kg DM/calf/day for 90 days. 3. Group N3 was supplemented with nickel @ 3.0 mg/kg DM/calf/day for 90 days. The body weight and feed consumption were recorded at fortnightly intervals and the body weight gain and feed conversion ratio were calculated to form body weight and feed consumption. Total leukocyte counts (TLC), lymphocyte and neutrophil and hemoglobin were estimated in whole blood. Total antioxidant activity (TAA), catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS),total immunoglobulin (TIG),glucose, nonesterifies fatty acid (NEFA), total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were analyzed in plasma. Body weight and feed consumption were not varied statistically among the groups. Body weight gain was significant (P<0.05) higher in N3 than N0 and N2 groups.FCR was significant (P<0.05) lower in N3 as compared to the groups N0 and N2.SOD was statistically lower (P<0.05) in nickel-treated groups. Nickel supplementation did not influence statistically the catalase activity and was observed similarly in all the groups.TAA was statistically (P<0.005) lower in nickel treated group as compared to the control group. The TBARS level was increased linearly (P<0.05) with the supplementation of nickel.TLC and neutrophil did not differ significantly among the groups. Nickel supplementation improved the lymphocyte and TIG concentrations and was reported statistically (P<0.05) higher in nickel-treated groups. Hemoglobin, glucose, NEFA, total cholesterol, and HDL- cholesterol levels were also not shown a significant (P>0.05) difference among the groups. The study was concluded that nickel supplementation improved growth and immunity but reduced the antioxidant status in growing Sahiwal heifers.