HEMATOLOGICAL AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL CHANGES INDUCED BY CADMIUM CHLORIDE TOXICITY IN SHEEP, WITH USING ALPHA LIPOIC ACID AS ANTIOXIDANT.

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy toxic metal, with harmful effects on animals and public health. Recently the risk of cadmium toxicity is substantially regarded. Therefore the present study was performed to clarify the effects of acute cadmium toxicity in sheep with using alpha lipoic acid (ALA) as an antioxidant agent. Fifteen male lambs 5 - 7 months old were divided equally in to three groups, they were supplied with ordinary diet and provided with water ad-lib, The first group (I) was administered a single dose of CdCl2 3 mg/kg.bw subcutaneously (S/C), the second group(II) was injected with the same dose of CdCl2 and via by the same route, and then simultaneously administered an alpha lipoic acid 50 mg/kg.B.W intramuscularly, the later drug was repeated after 12 hours via the same route also. The third group (III) was left as control and given normal saline (S/C). Resulted revealed a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the Hb, MCHC and platelets were recorded, whereas significant elevation (P<0.05) of PCV value was observed, in addition non significant variations of RBCs count and MCV of the first group were noticed. The results also indicated a significant (P<0.05) increase in WBC (neutrophilia) with significant (P<0.05) lymphocytopinia in the first group while Insignificant variations in hematological parameters in the second group as compared with the control group.