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Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental pollutant and is toxic to animal species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the toxico-pathological effects of Cd and the effects of hydrated sodium calcium aluminum silicates (HSCAS) on Cd-induced pathological alterations in male Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica). A total of 180 male C. japonica at 25 d of age were divided into nine equal groups, i.e. A–I. Group A was kept as control while groups B and C were administered with Cd @ 100 and 200 mg/kg feed. Groups D and E were fed HSCAS @ 5 and 10 g/kg feed. Groups F, G, H, and I were administered with HSCAS along with Cd in different combinations. The total duration of the experiment was 35 d (at experimental day 0, bird age was 21 d). Gross changes in Cd-fed groups included enlargement of the liver and atrophied testes. Histopathological picture of groups B (100 mg Cd/kg) and C (200 mg Cd/kg) showed fatty change, individual cell necrosis, and proliferation of bile ducts at hepatic triad. Testes showed testicular degeneration which included absence of spermatogenesis, pyknotic, and dark nuclei between the spermatids and absence of spermatids and spermatozoa. No parameter studied showed any adverse effect of HSCAS given to the quail @ 5 and 10 g/kg feed. Groups of quail-fed Cd and HSCS concurrently in different combinations did not show any adverse effect suggesting an amelioration of Cd-induced pathological changes in the birds. It was concluded that concurrent administration of HSCAS and Cd protected the quail from adverse effects of Cd toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study was designed to investigate the toxico-pathological effects of cadmium in female Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) and their attenuation by silymarin. A total of 120 quail chicks of four weeks of age were assigned into six groups and given basal feed, Cd1 (150 mg.kg-1 feed), Cd2 (300 mg.kg-1 feed) and SL (250 mg.kg-1 feed) alone and in combinations for 60 days. Hematological parameters, serum biochemical profile, feed intake, bodyweights, relative organ weights, egg production and histopathological alterations in kidney and oviduct were noted. Our results showed dose dependent decrease in mean relative weight of oviduct but increase in liver, intestine, kidney and spleen in groups treated with Cd only. Feed intake was decreased in Cd groups compared with control and bodyweight of Cd treated groups was lower as compared with control and SL groups. The Hb and PCV values were low but higher values of blood urea, creatinine, and serum activity of AST and ALT were observed in Cd treated groups only. Reduced height of mucosal folds collapsed tubular glands, nuclear degenerative changes and infiltration of plasma cells in parenchymatous tissue of oviduct were observed in Cd treated groups only. Moreover, Cd exposure resulted into hemorrhage, casts in tubules, infiltration of mononuclear cells, tubular necrosis and fibrosis in kidneys. Egg production was also lower in Cd treated groups as compared with control group. It may be concluded that Cd has strong nephrotoxic and gonadotoxic effects and SL may effectively ameliorate these toxic effects completely at lower doses but partially at higher doses of Cd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]