Effects of selenium and zinc supplementation on cadmium toxicity in broilers

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic metal regarded as an environmental pollutant. The potential ameliorative effect of simultaneous addition of Se and Zn to broilers against Cd toxicity was examined. A total of 180 as-hatched broilers were used. There were 4 replicate pens of 3 dietary treatments: T1, T2, and T3. In T1, Se, Cd, and Zn were added to a basal diet at 0.3, 0, and 100 ppm, in T2 at 0.3, 50, and 150 ppm, and in T3 at 0.5, 50, and 150 ppm respectively. Selenium, Cd, Ca, Co, Cu, Fe, Li, Mg, Mn, Sb, As, Cr, Pb, Mo, Ni, V, and Zn were determined in breast samples using ICP-MS. Simultaneous addition of Se and Zn to broilers partly ameliorated the negative effects of Cd. The concentrations of Cd, As, and V in breast were significantly affected by the treatments while the concentration of other examined elements remained unaffected.