The effect of single nickel and combined nickel and zinc peroral administration on growth, total protein and cholesterol concentrations in rabbit females

Abstract

In this study the effects of nickel and nickel with zinc supplementation on growth, total proteins and cholesterol concentration in rabbit females were analyzed. Animals were divided into 5 groups: control group K and 4 experimental groups P1, P2, P3 and P4 (n=5). Experimental animals received nickel or nickel+zinc to the feed mixture for 90 days in following amounts: P1 group - 17.5 mg NiCl2 /kg, P2 group - 35.0 mg NiCl2 /kg, P3 group - 17.5 mg NiCl2 /kg + 30 mg ZnCl2 /kg and P4 group - 35 mg NiCl2 /kg + 30 mg ZnCl2 /kg. During this period animals were weighted every week (Day 0 – 90) and the blood was collected every month (Day 0, 30, 60, 90). Insignificant reduce of daily weight gain was found in P3 group. Interesting results were observed in P4 group, where the highest daily weight gain was found. The higher average concentrations of total proteins were measured in groups with zinc supplementation. The highest concentration of cholesterol was recorded in P1 group (1.58±0.49 mmol.l-1) and the lowest one in control group. Our study did not found any significant effect of nickel or zinc on the growth of rabbits as well as on total protein and cholesterol concentration.