The Effect of Nickel and Zinc Addition to Rabbit Feed in Conjunction with the Risk of Chromosomal Aneuploidy

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine possible detrimental effect of nickel and zinc supplements added at various concentrations into commercial rabbit diet during 3 months of permanent feeding in an ad libitum system. The following concentrations of heavy metals were examined: P1—17.5 g NiCl₂, P2—35 g NiCl₂, P3—17.5 g NiCl₂+30 g ZnCl₂, P4—35 g NiCl₂+30 g ZnCl₂ to 100 kg of complete feed. Chromosome preparations were obtained from blood lymphocytes after metaphase arrest using colcemid solution. Nickel (NiCl₂) presence at concentration of 35 g/100 kg of rabbit feed after 3 months of systematic feeding had a negative effect on rabbit chromosomes according to the detected aneuploidy occurence. On the other hand, ZnCl₂ at concentration 30 g/100 kg of complete feed partially neutralized the negative NiCl₂ effect. Significant differences in chromosomal aneuploidy were found between the P2 testing group and control (p<0.001) and between the P4 and control groups (p<0.05). In conclusion, the negative effect of selected heavy metal was clearly demonstrated through cytogenetical study based on the action of nickel element intake on an increase of aneuploidy, via a supplemented commercial rabbit diet using NiCl₂ compound. Hence, it is important to point to the zinc role as a partial protector against the detrimental nickel effect on chromosomal status.