Abstract
The aim of the study was to determineCdaccumulationand to assess its effects ontissue s ructure, levels of Fein the tissues, and levels of hematocrit and hemoglobin (Hb) in growing pheasants (Phasianus colchicus). During the three‐week experiment, the birds were given food contaminated with 0.05, 40, or 70 μg Cd/g. The birds were weighed and sacrificed at 7‐d intervals, and the liver, kidney, testes, muscles, and femur were dissected. Blood samples were taken before sacrifice. Livers were weighed at the seventh and 21st days. The Cd concentrations in all tissues and Fe levels in liver, kidney, muscles, and bone were measured at the seventh, 14th, and 21st days of exposure. Metals were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Kidney, liver, and testes were taken for histological analyses under a light microscope. Accumulation of Cd in the tissues was proportional to the dose and duration of exposure. The highest Cd concentration (∼142 μg Cd/g [dry wt]) was found in the kidneys of pheasants fed 70 μg Cd/g. The lowest Cd concentrations were found in muscle (0.03–1.08 μg/g [dry wt]). The mean levels of Cd in the blood of pheasants fed low and high doses of Cd were 0.048 and 0.095 μg/ml, respectively. The Cd accumulation in the tissues caused decreasing Fe and Hb levels in the tissues. The Fe decrease stimulated hematopoiesis in the liver. Despite this, Hb levels were not kept at normal values. Pathological changes from Cd exposure were found in the liver and testes, but the most severe damage was in the kidney. The growth of the pheasants was also slightly retarded. It may be concluded that accumulation of Cd at these levels, which also occurs in the tissues of wild birds from contaminated areas, may cause the same pathological changes and physiological dysfunction.