Molybdenum and Cadmium exposure influences the concentration of trace elements in the digestive organs of Shaoxing duck (Anas platyrhyncha)

To investigate the toxic effects of Molybdenum (Mo) and Cadmium (Cd) on trace elements in digestive organs of Shaoxing duck (Anas platyrhyncha), 120 Shaoxing ducks were randomly divided into control group and 5 treatment groups which were treated with a commercial diet containing different dosages of Mo and Cd. On the 60th and 120th days, the beak, esophagus, glandular stomach, muscular stomach, small intestine, large intestine and feces were collected to determine contents of Mo, Cd, copper (Cu), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se), then correlation analysis was performed. The results showed that Cd content in digestive organs significantly increased in co-treated groups compared to single treated groups and Mo concentration increased in Mo-treated groups compared to control group, whereas Cu, Fe, Zn and Se concentrations in digestive organs decreased in co treated groups. Furthermore, Cd and Mo were mainly accumulated in the small intestine and esophagus, respectively. There was a strongly positive correlation between Cd and Mo while they had negative correlation with Cu, Fe, Zn and Se, respectively. In feces, Mo and Fe contents in high dose of Mo group and high Mo combined with Cd group were significantly higher than those in control group, and Cu content in all treated groups significantly increased and Cd, Zn and Se concentrations had no difference. The results indicated that dietary Mo or/and Cd might disturb homeostasis of trace elements in digestive organs of Shaoxing duck. Moreover, the two elements presented a synergistic relationship.