Evaluation of Changes in Liver Enzymes in Broiler Chicks (Gallous domesticus)

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of lead administered as lead acetate at different dosage levels mixed with feed in Broiler Chicks. Eighty four chicks (one month old) were purchased from Tolinton market, Lahore. The chicks were allowed to acclimatize to laboratory condition in well- ventilated cages.  They were divided into four groups having three replicas (7 chicks each). One of these was kept as control A (un-medicated). While the other Groups such as B, C, and D were given dose of lead acetate in a single dose at the pace of 80, 160 and 240 mg/kg of body mass mixed in feed for 20 days one after the other. Control diet Group “A†received basal diet without any supplementation. Blood samples were collected after slaughtering on 1^st, 5^th, 10^th, 15^th and 20^th day of dietary treatment from each group. The serum was isolated according to the procedure reported in Manual of basic Techniques for healthy laboratory. Various serological parameters of liver function enzymes test (LFT) such as Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were determined. Liver function tests are usually recognized as the reliable indicator of liver metabolism. A significant increase in ALT and AST levels (p< 0.05) in liver of various treated groups was recorded after applying statistical ANOVA test. Increased AST activity is related with the necrosis of the liver cells that leads to an escape of these enzymes into the blood. The level of ALT is generally increased in situations where there is damage to the liver cell membrane.  Lead acetate alters the serum AST and ALT levels by affecting the liver. The results revealed that lead toxicity caused hepatotoxicity in broiler chicks.