Activities of enzymes in the visceral organs of Kadaknath chicken exposed to cadmium

A study was undertaken to know the changes in some biochemical constituents and enzyme activities and to evaluate the antioxidant effect of a-tocopherol in visceral organs of Kadaknath chicken exposed to dietary cadmium. Sixty one week old Kadaknath chicks were divided into 5 groups of 12 each. Group I (control), Group II and III were given standard poultry feed along with CdCl₂ @ 500 and 1000 mg/kg feed, respectively. Group IV and V were fed with alpha-tocopherol @ 300 mg/kg feed, along with CdCl₂ @ 500 and 1000 mg/kg feed, respectively. Liver, kidney, intestine and leg muscle were collected and analyzed for total lipid, cholesterol and total protein, activities of ALT (Alanine transaminase), AST (Aspartate transaminase), ALP (Alkaline phosphatase). The activity of ALT was significantly (P <0.05) higher in all organs, whereas only liver and intestine showed higher values for ALP in group III on 28^th day. The activity of AST was found to be significantly (P < 0.05) higher in kidney for group III and lowest for group V. In conclusion, feeding of alpha tocopherol along with cadmium chloride resulted in a significant reduction in the metabolic enzyme activities thereby reducing the cadmium toxicity in Kadaknath chicken.