The aim of the study was to screen Cd contamination from the River Mutha and to investigate its effects on chick embryo development. The study was correlated with the toxicity of fetal development in humans, as chick embryo provides an excellent model system for studying the development of higher vertebrates including humans. The estimated average concentration of Cd in water column of River Mutha was 0.0986 mg/l, exceeded the safe limit of drinking water (0.0003 mg/l). To study the effects of Cd on chick embryo development, analogous concentration observed in River water was introduced in fertilized chicken eggs. Aqueous solutions of Cd ranging from 0.05 to 1.00 mg/l were injected into fertilized chicken eggs at 72 hours of incubation and metal injected eggs were further incubated for 10 days to see the toxic effects if any. Control eggs were treated in the similar way with sterile distilled water. Results showed abnormal development of blood vessels and decrease in the embryo survival rate in the Cd treated eggs.

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