Control of accumulation of toxic substances in eco-systems is of great value in the context of global atmospheric pollution. This study investigated the kidney function status of the factory chickens in Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. A total of twenty-nine (29) chicks aged between four (4) and five (5) months were grown to adult birds (chickens) for the study. They were allowed to feed from the surrounding homeland until they were due for the experiment. The chickens were sacrificed to obtain the blood for analyses. Approximately, 5ml of blood sample was collected from the heart into lithium- heparin containers for estimation of biochemical parameters (Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^-, HCO3^-, Urea, and Creatinine). Biochemical parameters were assayed using standard laboratory methods. Thereafter, the data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis by Students t-test using Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) (Version 16) software and Statistical significance was tested at P<0.05. The result revealed a significant decrease in the mean plasma concentration of HCO3^-ion in factory chickens than in control (p<0.05). Furthermore, the result showed that no significant mean differences were observed between all other kidney parameters of the control and factory chickens (p>0.05) respectively, however, while the Na⁺, K⁺, and Cl^- ions as well as creatinine levels were reduced in the factory chickens, the urea level and urea/creatinine (U/C) ratio was elevated in the factory chickens as against the control. Therefore, this study revealed no deleterious effect on the kidney functions which may be attributed to the short duration of exposure of the factory chickens to the factory sites.

Keywords: Industrialization, kidney functions, factory chickens, Nnewi.

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E.C. Ogbodo

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