Reaction mass of cobalt sulphide and nickel sulphide and trinickel disulphide

Toxicity to birds

Administrative data

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to birds: dietary toxicity test

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Purity and source of test material not reported. No information on the homogeneity or stability of the test material in the diet. No data were provided to assess the variability of the values reported.

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Studies on nickel metabolism: Interaction with other mineral elements

Author:

Ling, J.R. and R.M. Leach

Year:

1979

Bibliographic source:

Poultry Science. 58:591-596

Materials and methods

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Method: other: not reported, see below

GLP compliance:

not specified

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Nickel chloride

EC Number:

253-399-0

EC Name:

Nickel chloride

Cas Number:

37211-05-5

IUPAC Name:

nickel(2+) dichloride

Constituent 2

Reference substance name:

Nickel dichloride

EC Number:

231-743-0

EC Name:

Nickel dichloride

Cas Number:

7718-54-9

Molecular formula:

Cl2Ni

IUPAC Name:

Nickel dichloride

Dose method:

feed

Details on preparation and analysis of diet:

DIET PREPARATION
- The diet consisted of a purified basal diet of glucose and isolated soy protein.
- Animals were provided food and water ad libitum

Test organisms

Test organisms (species):

other: other avian: White Plymouth Rock chicks

Details on test organisms:

TEST ORGANISM
- Day-old White Plymouth Rock chicks
- Sexes used: males

Study design

Total exposure duration (if not single dose):

21 d

Nominal and measured doses / concentrations:

experimental diets containing 0, 300, 500, 700, 900, or 1100 mg/kg Ni, as nickel chloride.

Details on test conditions:

PEN SIZE AND CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
- housed in battery brooders

NO. OF BIRDS
-Groups of 16 chicks were fed experimental diets

Examinations

Details on examinations and observations:

All chicks were weighed and examined weekly.
After 3 weeks of exposure to the Ni-treated diets, all chicks were sacrificed and autopsied.
Prior to sacrifice, blood samples were collected from 8 randomly selected birds from each treatment group for the determination of hematocrit and hemoglobin content. Liver, kidney, breast muscle, and leg bone samples were collected and analyzed for Ni content.

Results and discussion

Effect levels

Effect levels 1

Duration (if not single dose):

21 d

Dose descriptor:

other: LOEC (survival)

Effect level:

900 other: ppm dietary Ni

Basis for effect:

other: survival and growth

Effect levels 2

Duration (if not single dose):

21 d

Dose descriptor:

other: LOEC (growth)

Effect level:

300 other: ppm dietary Ni

Basis for effect:

other: survival and growth

Mortality and sub-lethal effects:

Number alive/total number tested and 3-week mean body weight, by dietary Ni level tested:
0 ppm Ni: 16/16, 472.0 g, 300 ppm Ni: 15/16, 404.6 g*, 500 ppm Ni: 12/16, 297.9 g*, 700 ppm Ni: 13/16, 204.6 g*
900 ppm Ni: 8/16, 117.9 g*, 1100 ppm Ni: 5/16, 80.4 g*, * - significantly different from controls

Hematocrit levels were not significantly affected by dietary Ni up to 1100 ppm; however, the hemoglobin concentration was significantly reduced at the 1100 ppm dietary Ni level.

Nickel content in tissues increased with increasing dietary Ni. The highest Ni levels were found in the kidney. Additional gross observations were not reported.

Although not reported by the authors, the following NOEC and LOEC values were determined:
LOEC (survival) = 900 ppm dietary Ni, based on 50% mortality of chicks fed 900 ppm Ni for 3 weeks.
LOEC (growth) = 300 ppm dietary Ni, based on a significant reduction in body weight of chicks fed 300 ppm Ni for 3 weeks.

Reported statistics and error estimates:

Statistical significance was examined by analysis of variance and the Q-method described by Snedecor and Cochran (1967).

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Executive summary:

STUDY RATED BY AN INDEPENDENT REVIEWER.

ROBUST SUMMARY DEVELOPED BY AN INDEPENDENT REVIEWER.