Research note: Evaluation of the acute oral toxicity of povidone iodine in cockerels using up and down procedure

ABSTRACT Povidone-iodine (Polidine®) is a synthetic broad-spectrum antiseptic and being applied topically to treat wounds and prevent their infection. It is however used by poultry farmers and field veterinarians and other animal health workers with the claim that it is effective for the treatment of infectious bursa disease when administered orally. Hence, an acute oral toxicity study was conducted to ascertain its safety profile. Ten cockerel chicks were randomly selected and divided into two groups of five (5) chicks per group. One group served as negative control while the other group was administered povidone iodine at 2,000 mg/kg body weight orally. Blood sample was collected at the end of the study to determine changes in haematological and biochemical parameters. In addition, vital organs were also harvested and preserved for histopathological examinations. The result showed that the LD50 of the povodone iodine is greater than 2,000 mg/kg body weight in cockerels. There were no significant changes in the haematological parameters measured. Biochemical evaluation (renal and liver function test), showed an increase in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels post administration of the povidone iodine. The study indicated that the LD50 of povidone iodine is greater than 2,000 mg/kg body weight of cockerels and there were increases in urinary and liver enzymes at this dose.