The Toxic Effects of Brodifacoum on The Blood Profile of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

This research aims at studying the changes in the blood profile caused by brodifacoum poisoning, including a total count of red blood cells, total count of white blood cells, platelets count, haematocrit and coagulation time. The experiment was conducted on 48 broiler chickens at the age of two weeks, divided into four groups, each of which includes (12) birds. Then the birds were given a single oral dose of brodifacoum 0.005% (2.25-4.5-9) mg/kg respectively except the control group who were not given such doses. Clinical symptoms and mortality were recorded. Blood samples of four birds from each group were collected randomly after 24 hours on the fifth and ninth days of administration
The Results: Some neurological disorders, bleeding in the eyes-the ears and the subcutaneous layers were observed. The birds which had the higher dose showed the most severe symptoms. Changes in the rate of blood cellular components were regarded, significant decrease (P≤0.05) in the total number of red blood cells, platelets, haematocrit, and showed a significant increase (P≤0.05) in the total number of white blood cells, and a significant increase (P≤0.05) in the time of clotting, 24 hours after administration the brodifacoum and continued until the end of the experiment on the ninth day.
We conclude: that the exposure of chickens to brodifacoum that is used in rodent control, showed many toxic effects, the most important of it were manifested in the form of changes in the rate of blood cellular components, which increased with increasing both dose and time, which may be considered diagnostic evidence