Incidence of some heavy metals in chickens

Abstract EN

Ninety chickens of two broiler farms and balady flock were collected and examined for some hematological, serum biochemical parameters as well as heavy metal residues in meat, liver and kidneys tissues and histopathological alterations.

The investigated chickens revealed anemia (balady and farm 1), significant increase in AST and ALT (balady and farm 1), decrease in the total protein, albumin and globulin and increase in uric acid and creatinine (balady and farm 2).

The average levels of lead in farm 1, 2 and balady were 0.75, 0.45 and 0.94 in meat, 0.84, 0.59 and 2.02 in liver and 0.97, 0.62 and 2.12 in kidneys, those for cadmium were 0.09, 0.06 and 0.13 in meat, 0.14, 0.12, 0.22 in liver and 0.15, 0.10, 0.20 in kidneys, while that for copper were 0.30, 0.55 and 0.13 in meat, 1.01, 2.36 and 0.20 in liver but 0.81, 1.25 and 0.18 in kidneys; respectively.

Boiling and freezing showed varied effect of the residual level of heavy metals.

Histopathologically, degenerative changes were seen in the muscles, liver and kidneys of chickens with high level of heavy metal residues..

It could be concluded that, the tissue residues of lead and cadmium were was higher than the permissible limit where they induced clinico-pathological changes.

The level of tissue residues of balady chicks was higher than broiler chicks.

Boiling increases the level of lead and cadmium, while freezing decreases the level of the recorded heavy metals.

In order to produce meat of good quality, we should improve environment, water quality and nutrition as well as management.

Moreover, investigations of chicken tissue at farms, slaughter houses, retile sale and markets for heavy metal residues are advised.