Pathomorphological Changes during Amelioration of Lead Induced Toxicity in Chickens by Withania somnifera

Abstract

One hundred and fifty, day-old broiler chicks were divided into five groups of 30 birds each. Group I was kept as control. Groups II and III were administered 250 and 400 ppm lead acetate in distilled water, respectively. Groups IV and V were administered 250 and 400 ppm of lead in distilled water along with Withania somnifera root powder (WSRP) in standard recommended feed at 1% concentration from 2 weeks of age till 60 days post-treatment (DPT). Pathological studies were done by sacrificing three birds from each group at 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49 and 60 DPT. No gross as well as histopathological, lesion could be recorded in Group I. Grossly, in Groups II and III, congestion was seen in liver, kidneys and lungs, whereas ecchymotic haemorrhage along with congestion were evident in intestine. Spleen and testes decreased in size with mild congestion. Pinpoint haemorrhagic lesions were observed in the thymus. There was slight decrease in the size of bursa of Fabricius. No significant gross lesions were observed in Groups IV and V. Histopathologically, liver, kidney, intestine, lungs, heart, brain and testes, initially, showed vascular lesions like congestion and haemorrhage along with degenerative changes while later on these organs evinced necrotic and inflammatory lesions comprising of mononuclear cell infiltration. Spleen, bursa of Fabricius and thymus revealed vascular lesions along with mild depletion of lymphoid cells initially and severe lymphoid depletion in later stages. Ultrastructurally, liver, kidney and intestine showed distorted nucleus with margination of chromatin material, swollen mitochondria with regressed cristae and increased number of lysosomes. Lesions were less severe in Groups IV and V than Groups II and III. It was concluded from this study that 1% WSRP administration significantly ameliorate the effect of lead administration at 250 and 400 ppm on tissue changes in chickens.