[Morphological changes in chickens receiving cadmium with the feed]

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Toxicology
• Animal Nutrition

Background:

• Broiler chickens are a significant agricultural resource.
• Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal with potential environmental and health impacts.
• Understanding cadmium toxicity in poultry is crucial for food safety and animal welfare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the pathological effects of dietary cadmium chloride on broiler chickens.
• To determine the dose-dependent toxicity of cadmium in a practical feed matrix.
• To assess the impact of cadmium on vital organs and intestinal morphology.

Main Methods:

• 100 Plymouth Rock broiler chickens were used, divided into five groups.
• Groups received a maize-soybean ration supplemented with 0, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 mg Cd/kg feed.
• Morphological studies were conducted on kidneys, heart, liver, and small intestine.

Main Results:

• Dietary cadmium induced severe dystrophic and necrotic changes with hemorrhages in the kidneys, heart, and liver.
• Intestinal villi showed alterations: thinning and elongation in the 5 and 10 mg Cd/kg groups, and shortening/thickening in the 20 mg Cd/kg group.
• These findings demonstrate dose-dependent toxic effects of cadmium chloride.

Conclusions:

• Dietary cadmium chloride causes significant organ damage and intestinal lesions in broiler chickens.
• The observed pathological changes indicate chronic toxicity even at relatively low supplemented levels.
• Results highlight the risks associated with cadmium contamination in poultry feed and its implications for animal health.