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Nickel for Ruminants II. Influence of Dietary Nickel on Performance and Metabolic Parameters

University of Illinois, Urbana 61801

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to ascertain if supplemental nickel would influence performance and certain metabolic parameters in ruminants fed corn-based diets low or adequate in protein. In experiment 1, lambs were fed a low protein diet (7.5% crude protein) for a 28-day period, then switched to a 12.1% crude protein diet for the second period (47 days). Nickel was supplemented to the basal diets at a level of 0 or 5 ppm. Average daily gain and ruminal urease activity were significantly increased while serum urea-nitrogen and total serum proteins were decreased by nickel in the first period. Serum urea-nitrogen, total serum proteins, ruminal urease activity and rumen pH were increased by supplemental nickel in the second period. At the end of the experiment urease activity in ruminal epithelium was much greater in the nickel supplemented lambs. Lung iron was increased while spleen zinc concentrations were decreased by nickel supplementation.

In experiment II, steers were fed a 13.1% crude protein for the first period (42 days) and a low protein diet (7.4% crude protein) during the second period (28 days). Feed efficiency was improved by nickel supplementation in period I, but other parameters measured were not significantly affected by treatment. In period II when steers received a low protein diet, nickel supplementation increased ruminal urease, molar percent of ruminal propionic acid and decreased molar percent of acetic acid and serum urea nitrogen. Average daily gain also tended to be higher for steers receiving supplemental nickel in period II. These studies suggest that ruminants fed certain practical diets may respond to dietary nickel, especially when consuming a low protein diet.