Probable roles of nickel in nutrient utilisation and animal performance: A review

Nickel (Ni) is universally present in water, soil and plants and recognized as a possibly essential trace element for animals. Various possible roles of Ni in animal body have been proposed. It is an integral part of rumen urease and is required for the biosynthesis of hydrogenase enzyme. Nickel has been reported to be a bio-ligand cofactor facilitating the intestinal absorption of the Fe³⁺ in the animal. It might influence methane production since it is required by methanogenic bacteria in rumen for growth. Improvement in body weight gain, rumen urease activity, propionate production, antioxidant status, lipid and glucose metabolism has been reported in different species due to Ni supplementation but the results have been inconsistent. The maximum tolerable levels of Ni in the feeds of rodents, poultry, swine, horse, cattle and sheep have been reported to be 50, 250, 250, 50, 100 and 100 ppm, respectively. Nickel also interacts with other minerals like iron, zinc, copper and manganese. Hence, studies are required to elucidate the functionality of Ni in animal body.