The effects of Vit C on different essential elements in Cadmium toxicity in Japanese quails.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of Vit C on Ca, P, Fe and Cu in cadmium toxicity in Japanese quail. A total of 60 1-d-old Japanese quail were randomly distributed among 4 dietary treatments with 3 replicate pens per treatment. In group1, chickens were fed on basal diet without added Cd (control group). In group 2, chickens were fed on basal diet with 40 ppm Cd in drinking water. In group3, quails were fed on basal diet + 500 ppm of Vit C; and in group 4 treatment, quails were fed on basal diet + 500 ppm Vit C and 40 ppm Cd in drinking water. Cd was added as cadmium chloride. On day 35, three quails per replicate pen were killed for collection of liver and breast and tight muscle samples. Samples were analyzed by ICP-MS. The results of our study showed that Cd toxicity led to an increase of liver and muscle Cd concentration and decreased levels of Fe, Ca, P and Cu in the body tissues. The results also showed that supplementation of vit C decreased Cd content in the liver and muscles of japanese quails. The present study revealed several correlations between essential and toxic elements, illustrating the importance of the balance between oxidant elements and antioxidants.