Abstract

Heavy metals are affecting the surroundings through natural and anthropogenic sources. Lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) are extremely toxic metals with their potential effects on the health of living organisms around the globe. Birds may serve as a valuable bio-indicator of environmental health. Hematological and biochemical indices are among the most reliable markers for assessing animal and human health. In order to evaluate the toxicological effect of metals mixture (lead + arsenic) on the hematological profile in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica), twelve adult Japanese quails of body weight between 100-120g were bought from Jhang bazaar bird market, Faisalabad. All birds were divided into three equal groups (n=4). Group I was named as control group and provided only with tap water and standard pellet feed; Group II: treated with the low dosage of lead (1 mg/kg) and arsenic (1 mg/kg); Group III: treated with the high dosage of lead (10 mg/kg) and arsenic (15 mg/kg body weight). Birds were slaughtered after 30 days of trial. Blood samples were collected from the animals of all groups in EDTA tubes. Different hematological parameters were estimated. Body weight gain of Low and high treated groups was decreased significantly (p<0.05) compared to the control group birds. Results showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in the values of WBC count (Monocyte, Lymphocytes, Basophils, Neutrophils and Eosinophils, Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) in the treated groups as compared to the control group. A significant (p<0.05) decrease in the values of Hematocrit, Hemoglobin and RBCs was observed in treated groups as compared to the control group. Mean corpuscular Hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) showed a non- significant decrease and MCH showed a non- significant (p>0.05) increase in treated groups as compared to the control group. Therefore, lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) exerted detrimental effects on the hematology of birds.