Suppressive action of cadmium on the functioning of organs of immunity and zinc protection against this effect in chickens
2004
Vasiljeva, S. (University of Latvia, Salaspils (Latvia). Inst. of Biology) | Berzina, N. (University of Latvia, Salaspils (Latvia). Inst. of Biology) | Remeza, I. (Riga Stradins Univ. (Latvia))
Due to increased environmental contamination by heavy metals, including by the most toxic cadmium, it is important to study potential damage to the defensive system at different levels and to develop effective prevention means of the harmful action. Therefore, a laboratory experiment was carried out using Lohmann brown chickens as an experimental model. One-day-old birds were divided into three groups. One group of chickens was fed a basal diet balanced in all nutrients and served as control. The other two groups received the same diet, excepting that from the beginning to the end of the experiment the ration of the 3rd group of chickens was supplemented with zinz (500 mg.kgE-1 as ZnCl2), and chickens of the 2nd and 3rd groups were per os administered cadmium (5 mg.kgE-1 body mass as CdCl2) in the two last weeks daily. Functionsl changes of organs of immunity (thymus, bursa of Fabricius, and spleen) in 30-day-old chickens were inwestigated. It was established that the immunosuppressive cadmium effect was manifested in a low mass of the central organs of immunity and dimished T - and B-cell functioning both in central lymphoid organs and peripheral organs. A decrease in thge T - and B-immunocyte population and increase in the bursocyte damage was observed. the predominant T-immune system damage was found. A pronounced protective action of zinc against the adverse effect of cadmium on functionality of immune system organs in chickens was observed.
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