Distribution Pattern of Cadmium in Liver and Kidney of Broiler Chicken: An Experimental Study

Background: Cadmium (Cd) is not considered as essential element for living organisms, therefore its presence in tissues is considered as toxic element. From food hazards control point of view, information on the distribution of these toxic elements in the animal tissues is very important. The present study was designed to evaluate Cd distribution pattern in kidney and liver of broiler chicken. Methods: Forty eight day-old broiler chickens were randomly and equally divided into different groups including control, I, II and III. During 42 days Cd was added to their diet in amount of 0, 25, 50 and 100 ppm, respectively. From each group, four chickens were sacrificed at 14, 28, 42 days of age, and amount of Cd in their liver and kidney were measured by atomic absorbent spectrophotometer. Analysis of data was performed by two-way ANOVA using SPSS software version 16.0. Results: Interaction effect of the time duration of Cd diet consumption and the accumulation of Cd contents from either liver or kidney in different groups was significant (p<0.05). Increasing dietary Cd levels and exposure days resulted in higher Cd accumulation in kidney and liver. In all groups and in all different ages, kidney Cd levels were higher than those of liver. Conclusion: Cd content in chicken organs is attributable to its dietary level and the duration of exposure. The mean concentration of Cd accumulated in chicken kidney tissue was higher in comparison to it in liver tissue.