Pathomorphological Changes due to Cadmium and Withania somnifera Root Powder Administration in Chickens

This study describes the adverse effects of cadmium on pathomorphological changes and its protection with concurrent administration of Withania somnifera root powder in chickens. Broiler day-old chicks (n = 90) were randomly divided into five groups of 18 birds each, namely group I (control), group II (100-ppm cadmium), group III (200-ppm cadmium), group IV (100-ppm cadmium + WSRP) and group V (200-ppm cadmium + WSRP). W. somnifera root powder was given orally in feed at 1% concentration from 2 weeks of age till 60 days posttreatment (DPT). Gross and histopathological studies were done by sacrificing three birds from each group at 15th, 30th, 45th and 60th DPT. Ultrastructural study of liver and kidney was done from groups III and V at 30th and 60th DPT. Pathological alterations in different vital organs and ultrastructural changes in liver and kidney showed retrogressive changes.