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Hepatic selenium content of chicks fed toxic levels of selenium as affected by copper, silver and linseed

Journal Article · · Fed. Proc.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5193175

Growth rate and viability of chicks fed a diet containing 20 ppm selenium (Se) for two weeks were improved by adding 1000 ppm of either copper or silver to the diet. Copper caused a greater than 3-fold increase of Se in the liver while silver reduced it. Determination of hepatic Se concentration by x-ray fluorescence proved to be a convenient method and gave results similar to those obtained by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Feeding a diet containing 20% linseed meal to chicks also counteracted the growth depression caused by including high levels of Se (10-40 ppm) in the diet. In contrast to the rat, chicks fed diets containing 5-20 ppm Se accumulated less of the element per unit of liver dry matter when the diet contained linseed meal. Calculation of retention of consumed Se (supplemental) also revealed consistently less retained Se in chicks fed linseed meal in combination with 5, 10 or 20 ppm Se. Linseed meal did not interfere with the absorption of an oral dose of /sup 75/Se as measured by tissue retention 24 hours later. Linseed meal appears to contain a factor that enhances excretion of Se in the chick and also interacts with Se in the tissues to reduce the toxic effects of the element.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Georgia, Athens
OSTI ID:
5193175
Journal Information:
Fed. Proc.; (United States), Journal Name: Fed. Proc.; (United States) Vol. 35:3; ISSN FEPRA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English