Bioaccumulation and Haematological Alterations Induced by Varying Concentrations of Cadmium in Selected Organs of Golden Misri Chickens (<i>Gallus gallus domesticus</i>) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

The aim of the research was to evaluate the effects of Cadmium (Cd) toxicity on hematological parameters and its bioaccumulation in Golden Misri chickens (<i>Gallus gallus</i> domesticus), focusing on both dosage and exposure duration. The study was conducted from June to September 2021 at the Zoology Department of Islamia College Peshawar and included 60 sexually mature Golden Misri chickens, each weighing approximately 1 kg and aged 8 weeks. The chickens were systematically divided into two batches for short-term (3 and 5 days) and long-term exposure studies (14, 20, 40, and 60 days). Sublethal oral doses of Cd were administered to the experimental groups: 35 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg for 3- and 5 day trials, respectively, and 25 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, 15 mg/kg, and 10 mg/kg for long-term trials of 14, 20, 40, and 60 days. The blood and tissue samples were analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer and a hematological analyzer, with statistical significance at <i>p</i> < 0.05. The results demonstrated that while short-term exposure caused initial Cd accumulation and mild hematological changes, long-term exposure led to a progressive and significantly higher accumulation of Cd in the liver and kidneys, with severe hematological alterations. Hematological analysis showed a significant reduction in red blood cell (RBCs) (erythrocytes), hemoglobin (Hb), Hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and platelets (PLT), accompanied by an increase in white blood cell (WBCs) compared to the control group. These findings confirm a duration-dependent pattern of Cd toxicity, with increased exposure time contributing to higher tissue accumulation and greater systemic effects. The study concludes that prolonged Cd exposure significantly alters key hematological markers, contributing to systemic toxicity in Golden Misri chickens.