Effects of dietary cadmium contamination on bird Anas platyrhynchos--comparison with species Cairina moschata

International audience; This study aimed to assess the effect of two dietary cadmium (Cd) levels (C1: 1 mg kg−1; C10: 10 mg kg−1) on bird Anas platyrhynchos exposed for 10, 20 and 40 days (5 animals per experimental condition). Ducks were able to accumulate high amounts of Cd, especially in kidneys (after 40 days: C1 8.1±1 mg kg−1, C10 37.7±4.3 mg kg−1). After 40 days, the lowest Cd level triggered oxidative stress and stimulated mitochondrial metabolism. At the same time, highest amounts of Cd (C10 group) only triggered repression of genes encoding for catalase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, with repression factors of 1/50 and 1/5, respectively. High dose exposures were then associated with the repression of genes encoding for antioxidant, whereas low dose exposure triggered their induction. In contrast, the onset of MT gene expression appeared quickly for the C10 group even if a time delay was observed between gene expression and protein accumulation. Through the comparison of A. platyrhynchos and Cairina moschata, the response to Cd toxicity appeared species-dependent. Discrepancies between species could be explained by differential utilization of MT. This pathway of detoxification seemed sufficient to counter Cd toxicity.