Some heavy metal pollutants in groundwater and their effects on broiler chicks

Abstract EN

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of some heavy metals in broilers chicks’ drinking water on their performance and some immune parameters.

Concentrations of heavy metals were calculated by the highest concentrations founded in our previous survey as follow : (0.618, 0.004, 0.014 and 0.0 49 mg / L for zinc, cobalt, cadmium and lead, respectively) (low level) (T1) as well as 10 X (T2) (high level).

Birds received this water from day one till the end of experiment at day 35.

Results revealed that bird’s performance was not affected by both concentrations, also heavy metals residues in the muscles of treated birds were within the permissible limit for human consumption.

Chicks received heavy metals at both concentrations showed a significant reduction in average response in T2 as compared to control and subtle effect in T1 on cell mediated immune response to phytohemagglutinin at early age (21 days), while at the end of experiment the effect was not as much as early age with a trend toward decrease response in treated groups.

In accordance with cell mediated immune response, antibody response to New-Castle disease virus vaccine revealed no significant difference in T1 in comparison with control in primary and secondary response while high level treated birds (T2) showed a significant reduction response in primary response and a trend toward decrease in secondary response at both ages 21 and 35 days old.

In conclusion, our study revealed that levels of these metals in ground water are still safe for poultry production, however they exerts their effect mainly on immune system.