Bioaccumulation and Haematological Alterations Induced by Varying Concentrations of Cadmium in Selected Organs of Golden Misri Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

TL;DR

This study shows how long-term cadmium exposure in chickens causes more severe blood changes and organ accumulation than short-term exposure.

Contribution

The study reveals a duration-dependent pattern of cadmium toxicity in Golden Misri chickens through controlled exposure trials.

Findings

Long-term cadmium exposure leads to higher accumulation in liver and kidneys compared to short-term exposure.

Prolonged exposure significantly reduces red blood cells, hemoglobin, and platelets while increasing white blood cells.

Cadmium toxicity shows a progressive and systemic impact with increased exposure duration.

Abstract

The aim of the research
was to evaluate the effects of Cadmium
(Cd) toxicity on hematological parameters and its bioaccumulation
in Golden Misri chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus),
focusing on both dosage and exposure duration. The study was conducted
from June to September 2021 at the Zoology Department of Islamia College
Peshawar and included 60 sexually mature Golden Misri chickens, each
weighing approximately 1 kg and aged 8 weeks. The chickens were systematically
divided into two batches for short-term (3 and 5 days) and long-term
exposure studies (14, 20, 40, and 60 days). Sublethal oral doses of
Cd were administered to the experimental groups: 35 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg
for 3- and 5 day trials, respectively, and 25 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, 15
mg/kg, and 10 mg/kg for long-term trials of 14, 20, 40, and 60 days.
The blood and tissue samples were analyzed using an atomic absorption
spectrophotometer and a hematological analyzer, with statistical significance
at p < 0.05. The results demonstrated that while
short-term exposure caused initial Cd accumulation and mild hematological
changes, long-term exposure led to a progressive and significantly
higher accumulation of Cd in the liver and kidneys, with severe hematological
alterations. Hematological analysis showed a significant reduction
in red blood cell (RBCs) (erythrocytes), hemoglobin (Hb), Hematocrit
(HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin
(MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and platelets
(PLT), accompanied by an increase in white blood cell (WBCs) compared
to the control group. These findings confirm a duration-dependent
pattern of Cd toxicity, with increased exposure time contributing
to higher tissue accumulation and greater systemic effects. The study
concludes that prolonged Cd exposure significantly alters key hematological
markers, contributing to systemic toxicity in Golden Misri chickens.

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