Effects of selenium and vitamin E on methyl mercury toxicity in the Japanese quail

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1975 · Fed. Proc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5117687

Welsh, S O; Soares, Jr, J H

Based on the known interrelationship between mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) and between Se and vitamin E, studies were conducted to determine if dietary supplements of vitamin E (500-1000 IU/kg diet) could provide protection against the toxic effects of methylmercury (MeHg) in the Japanese quail. In all instances birds receiving the supplementary level of vitamin E were compared to birds receiving nutritionally adequate levels of the vitamin with dietary supplements of Na2SeO3 that provided 0-0.6 ppm Se. Although 500 IU vitamin E is well below levels previously reported to be toxic, there was an indication that in diets not containing Hg this level of the vitamin had a growth depressing effect on the quail. This level of vitamin E caused no change in hematocrit or bone calcification, but did cause a significant increase in liver weights. A high dietary level of MeHg caused a decrease in growth, hematocrit level, bone calcification, survival rate and an increase in the toxicity score developed for use in these studies. Protection against these effects of Hg was provided by Se and/or vitamin E. Although vitamin E had some protective effect in diets containing no supplementary Se, this protection was overcome by the deleterious effects of Hg. In diets containing the highest level of Se provided, supplementary vitamin E provided little additional protection in these experiments. The protective effect of vitamin E was most evident when 0.05-0.1 ppm Se were provided.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Maryland, College Park
• OSTI ID: 5117687
• Journal Information: Fed. Proc.; (United States), Journal Name: Fed. Proc.; (United States) Vol. 34:3; ISSN FEPRA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL GROWTH
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIRDS
BLOOD
BODY
BODY FLUIDS
DIET
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
ELEMENTS
GLANDS
GROWTH
LIVER
MATERIALS
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
METHYLMERCURY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
SELENIUM
SEMIMETALS
SURVIVAL TIME
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES
VITAMIN E
VITAMINS