HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Oscar, T. P. Articles by Spears, J. W. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Oscar, T. P. Articles by Spears, J. W.

Nickel-Induced Alterations of in Vitro and in Vivo Ruminal Fermentation¹

North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27695-7621

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to determine effects of Ni on ruminal fermentation and methane production (MP). In Exp. 1, Ni (0.5, 5 or 50 µg/ml) and formate (F; 0 or 38 mM) were added in a 4 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to a semicontinuous culture of ruminal microorganisms. Addition of .5 or 5µg Ni/ml did not alter fermentation characteristics or gas production. However, addition of 50 µg Ni/ml reduced (P < .05) total gas production and NH3-N concentration. A significant F x Ni interaction affected MP. Addition of 50 pg Ni/ml to the cultures reduced MP in the presence of, but not in the absence of, F. In Exp. 2, Ni (0, .5, 5 or 50 mg/kg) was added to a diet based on barley and cottonseed hulls that contained .26 mg Ni/kg. Performance of growing steers over the 84-d study was not affected by Ni. However, during the first 56 d of the study, steers fed 5 mg Ni/kg of diet had lower (P < .10) daily gains and higher (P < .05) feed/gain than steers fed other levels of Ni. Steers fed 5 mg Ni/kg of diet also had higher (P < .10) in vitro MP, higher (P < .05) ruminal butyrate and lower (P < .05) ruminal propionate than steers fed other levels of Ni. Ruminal urease activity was increased (P < .01) cubicly in response to dietary Ni. Results indicate that Ni affects ruminal methane production, VFA molar proportions and urease activity in a dose-dependent manner.

¹ Paper No. 11380 of the journal Series of the North Carolina ARS, Raleigh, NC 27695-7601. Use of trade names in this publication does not imply endorsement by the North Carolina ARS. or criticism of similar products not mentioned.

² Dept. of Anim. Sci. and Interdepartmental Nutr. Program.

³ To whom reprint requests should be addressed.