EFFECT OF NICKEL DEFICIENCY ON VARIOUS METABOLIC PARAMETERS OF RATS

This investigation attempted to clarify the effect of nickel deficienc y on various metabolic parameters in rats, by using a new experimental approach. On the assumption that nickel-deficiency symptoms are broug ht out in the first generation, rats were mated two times to pass thro ugh two gestations and lactation cycles. Moreover, the severity of nic kel deficiency in pups of the first and second offspring was also dete rmined. For that purpose, female rats divided into two groups of 12 ea ch and fed a nickel-deficient diet containing 13 mu g/kg nickel and a nickel-adequate diet containing 1 mg/kg nickel. To bring out the effec ts of nickel deprivation, these rats were mated to produce the first o ffspring. Two weeks subsequent to the lactation period dams were paire d again to produce the second offspring. Both first and second offspri ng were raised for the total of their suckling period of 23 days. Afte r both suckling periods, 15 animals per group were chosen to determine the severity of nickel deficiency. In order to intensify signs of nic kel deprivation, rats from the second offspring (24 animals per group) were raised for another 4 weeks subsequent to the suckling period ove r a total of 51 days, with a nickel-deficient or a nickel-adequate die t. As a result of this new approach to experimental design, in which t he first rat generation has two gestations instead of one, dams had im paired reproduction, slightly depressed growth, and alterations in som e metabolic parameters due to nickel deficiency. It could also be clea rly demonstrated, on the basis of nickel deficiency, that the depressi on of nickel and iron concentrations in total body of the 23-day-old o ffspring was intensified from the first to the second litter. From the results obtained from 51-day-old rats from the second offspring, it c ould be clearly demonstrated that dietary nickel-depleted rats were ni ckel deficient on the basis of reduced weight gain as well as iron con centrations in the body, depressed haematological parameters, especial ly erythrocyte counts, haemoglobin, and haematocrit. Furthermore, nick el deficiency altered activities of the citric-cycle enzymes malate de hydrogenase, isocitric dehydrogenase, and aconitase in the liver, and increased the activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminot ransferase, and glutamate dehydrogenase in serum.