Animal Health & Veterinary Medicine

The current study demonstrated the effects of lead and cadmium on the histopathological changes that occur on visceral organs and hematological parameters of the rabbits during infertility. 60 male rabbits (7- 8 months of age) weighing 1-1½ kg were selected. They were divided into group A and B consisting of 27 rabbits each and six animals served as control. Group A were orally fed with lead acetate, nine rabbits having the same concentration (10, 20, 30 mg/kg). Group B was orally fed with cadmium chloride, nine rabbits getting the same concentration (3, 6, 9 mg/kg). The dose was given once a day and for five days of a week. Blood was weekly collected to check the changes in hematological values. The animals were sacrificed after three weeks of experiment and their organs (lungs, liver, heart, kidneys and testes) were collected for histopathological studies. All the hematological parameters were significantly affected by the doses except the MCHC values in rabbits fed with 30 mg/kg Pb-acetate and 3 mg/kg CdCl2. Lungs were the most affected organs as most of the absorption of these heavy metals occurs through respiratory tract. In our experiment, kidneys are the least affected organs by these metals. The harmful effects of these heavy metals on the hematology and visceral organs have made us to ponder about the reduction of sources exposing us to these substances. In this way not only humans but also other sensitive creature on earth can be prevented from their accumulation in the body.