Investigation of the serum oxidative stress in broilers fed on diets supplemented with nickel chloride

The purpose of this study was to investigate the serum oxidative stress induced by dietary nickel chloride (NiCl2) in broilers. A total of 240 oneday-old avian broilers were divided into four groups and fed on a corn-soybean basal diet as control diet or the same basal diet supplemented with 300 mg/kg, 600 mg/kg and 900 mg/kg NiCl2. During the experimental period of 42 days, oxidative stress parameters were determined for both control and experimental groups. The results showed that malondialdehyde (MDA) content was significantly higher (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) in the 300 mg/kg, 600 mg/kg and 900 mg/kg groups than that in the control group. In contrast, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and the ability to inhibit hydroxy radical, and glutathione hormone (GSH) content were significantly decreased (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) in the 300 mg/kg, 600 mg/kg and 900 mg/kg groups in comparison with those of the control group. It was concluded that dietary NiCl2 in excess of 300 mg/kg could cause oxidative stress, which could finally impaired the antioxidant function in broilers.