Nickel-Copper Interrelationship in the Rat

Abstract

Weanling rats were fed a basal low Cu diet (0.95 ppm Cu, 0.1 ppm Ni) or the basal diet supplemented with 20 ppm Ni or 15 ppm Cu or with both. The responses to supplementing the basal diet with Cu were increases in weight gain, hematocrit, Hb, erythrocyte count, ceruloplasmin and Cu content of liver, heart and kidney. Supplementation of the basal diet with Ni increased weight gains and hematocrits to the same extent as did Cu. Responses to Cu were not modified by simultaneous Ni supplementation but responses to Ni were seen only in low Cu diets.