Cadmium Induced Changes on Growth Performance, Some Biochemical Parameters and Tissue in Broilers: Effects of Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Abstract

This study was performed to determine the effects of vitamin C (vit C) and vitamin E (vit E) on growth performance, some biochemical parameters and tissue changes in broiler chickens exposed to cadmium (Cd). One hundred twenty, 1-day-old, Ross broiler chicks were divided into 4 groups with 3 replicates and fed with a basal diet (control) or the basal diet supplemented with 60 mg kg(-1) Cd, 60 mg kg(-1) Cd+400 mg kg(-1) vit C, or 60 mg kg(-1) Cd+250 mg kg(-1) vit E for 42 days. Body weight (BW), Body Weight Gain (BWG) and Feed Consumption (FC) were recorded and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated. Plasma were analysed for aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) activities and total protein, total cholesterol and creatinine levels. Cadmium significantly decreased the BW (p<0.001), BWG (p<0.001), FC (p<0.001) and FCR (p<0.05) compared with the control group. Regarding the same groups plasma and kidney Cd (p<0.001) and AST (p<0.05) and GGT activities (p<0.01) were increased. While growth performance were not affected in vit C and vit E supplementated group compared with the Cd-only group, these treatments reduced plasma Cd and GGT activities. Furthermore vit C was more effective in reducing Cd accumulation in kidneys and liver.