Effect of nickel supplementation on growth, haematology, biomarkers of energy and protein metabolism of heifers fed urea based diet Singh Rashmi, Kumar Vinod*, Kumar Muneendra, Kushwaha Raju, Vaswani Shalini, Kumar Avinash, Patel Ankita Animal Nutrition Department, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, U.P. Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go-Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura, 281001, India *Correspondence: vinodsidhu@rediffmail.com
Online published on 20 May, 2023. Abstract This study was conducted to assess the effect of Nickel (Ni) supplemental effect on nutrient intake, digestibility, haematology and blood biochemical in growing cattle. Eighteen Sahiwal heifers were randomly assigned to three groups on body weight basis and fed treatment ration for 90 days. Control group were fed on basal diet without Ni and urea whereas, animals in treatment group-1 (T1) was supplemented concentrate with urea (3%) without Ni and treatment group-2 (T2) animals were supplemented with 5.0 mg Ni/kg DM/animal and concentrate containing urea (3%). The nutrient requirements of heifers were met by feeding concentrate mixture, berseem and wheat straw as per NRC (2001) guideline. Present result revealed that 5.0 mg Ni/kg DM to the diet of growing heifers had no effect on DMI, body weight gain, FCR, FCE in heifer fed urea based diet. No effects of treatments were observed on haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit value, biomarkers of lipid and protein metabolism i.e. plasma triacylglycerol, cholesterol, plasma total protein, plasma albumin and plasma globulin. The plasma glucose level was found significantly higher (P<0.05) in nickel supplemented group. The digestibility of CP and ADF was significantly higher (P<0.05) in nickel supplemented heifers fed urea based diet. The biomarkers of liver functions i.e. aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alanine phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin were reported within normal physiological range. No significant differences (P>0.05) of Ni supplementation were observed on biomarkers of kidney function i.e. plasma creatinine and PUN. Antioxidant activity was lowered in heifers receiving 5.0 ppm Ni supplemented diets as significantly lower (P<0.05) FRAP and SOD values were noticed. Plasma Ca and Ni were significantly higher in Ni supplemented animals. It can be concluded that Ni supplementation at 5.0 mg Ni/kg DM showed positive effect on glucose, protein and calcium metabolism in growing cattle fed urea based diet. Top Keywords Haematology, Heifers, Liver and kidney function, Nickel, Urea. Top |