Effects of vitamin C or vitamin E supplementation on Cadmium induced oxidative stress and anaemia in broilers

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective effects of vitamins C and E on lipid peroxidation (LPO), antioxidant systems and erythrocyte parameters in broilers chronically exposed to cadmium (Cd). One day old Ross broiler chickens were assigned to 4 equal groups (n = 12) according to the diet regimen; in the control group, birds received basal standard starter and grower diets, in Cd group they were supplemented with Cd (60 mg/kg) and in the 2 other groups, they were supplemented with Cd and with vitamin C (400 mg/kg) or with vitamin E (250 mg/kg) during the 42 clays long experimental period. The Cd exposition induced an oxidative stress characterised by the significant increase in plasma MDA concentrations coupled to significant decreases in enzyme antioxidant SOD (superoxide dismutase), CAT (catalase) and GSH-Px (glutathione peroxidase) activities and in plasma vitamin E, beta-carotene and uric acid concentrations. A moderate regenerative anaemia (low haemoglobinemia, erythrocyte name-ration and haematocrit associated with increase of the mean corpuscular volume) was also observed in the Cd group. Treatments with the vitamins C or E significantly reduced the lipid peroxidation but the antioxidant enzyme CAT and GSH-Px activities and vitamin E concentrations were significantly improved only with the vitamin E supplementation. Furthermore, the both types of vitamin supplementation, but particularly with ascorbate, have significantly increased the haemoglobinemia and the erythrocyte counts. These results clearly showed that vitamins C and E alleviate the oxidative effects of Cd at least partially and that the vitamin E exhibits more powerful antioxidant effects whereas vitamin C corrects more efficiently the anaemia.