Effect of Ferrous Sulphate Intake on Absorption of Cadmium Chloride in Drinking Water in Mature Female Rabbits

Abstract

Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal, which is mainly absorbed by gastro intestinal tract (GIT). This absorption increases when there is a decrease in the level of iron in body stores. This study was carried to find out that the intake of ferrous sulphate affects the absorption of cadmium chloride from gastro intestinal tract (GIT) of mature rabbits exposed chronically to polluted water with cadmium chloride (CdCl₂). Four to five months old rabbits were equally divided into three groups: Control (A), this group offered ordinary tab water, the second treated group (B), offered tap water containing 80 parts per billion (ppb) CdCl₂. The third treated group (C), offered tap water containing (80 ppb) CdCl₂ with 4mg of ferrous sulphate that are given orally once a day. Cadmium concentration in serum was measured using atomic absorption instrument at the end of experiment which extended for 8 weeks. The results revealed that Cd concentration was increased significantly in the 2nd group (B) as the CdCl₂ level in serum reached 2.057 ppb, while it decreases significantly in the 3rd group (C) where the level decreased to 0.455 ppb compared to control group (A). These findings concluded that the supplementing food with iron compounds led to a decrease in serum cadmium levels, where ferrous competes with the absorption of Cd.