Accumulation of zinc, nickel, lead and cadmium in some organs of rabbits after dietary nickel and zinc inclusion

Abstract

This study reports the effect of dietary nickel (Ni) and a combination of Ni and zinc (Zn) on the accumulation of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), Ni and Zn in muscles, liver and kidneys of rabbits. Female rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) of experimental groups were fed a granular mixture with addition of various concentrations of Ni or Ni+Zn (E1 – 17.5 g NiCl2 per 100 kg of feed mixture, group E2 - 35.0 g NiCl2 per 100 kg of feed mixture, group E3 – 17.5 g NiCl2 per 100 kg of feed mixture and 30 g ZnCl2 per 100 kg of feed mixture, group E4 – 35.0 g NiCl2 per 100 kg of feed mixture and 30 g ZnCl2 per 100 kg of feed mixture). Group C without inclusion of Ni or Zn served as control. After the 90-day experimental period biological material (liver, kidney, musculus longissimus dorsi, musculus biceps femoris) was taken from the animals. Samples were analyzed by the AAS method. Ni added to the FM caused an increase in Cd concentration in the kidneys of the rabbits, significantly in the E3 group in comparison with the control group. In the liver an insignificant decrease of Cd concentration was found. Zn addition in the amount of 30 g to the diet caused an increase of Cd level in the kidney as well as in the liver. Ni and Zn treatment caused a significant decrease of Pb accumulation in the m. longissimus dorsi of rabbits. This study indicates that dietary inclusion of Ni and Zn caused specific interactions among the observed metals.