Comparative effects of selenium on metabolism of methylmercury by chickens and quail: tissue distribution and transfer into eggs

Journal Article · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977 · Poult. Sci.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.0560939· OSTI ID:5414315

Sell, J L

Female chickens and Japanese quail in active egg production were used to determine the influence of selenium on the metabolism of mercury. Ration treatments consisted of 0 and 8 p.p.m. Se in a complete factorial arrangement with 0 and 20 p.p.m. Hg. Rations were fed ad libitum during the 21-day experiments, and tracer doses of methyl-203-mercuric chloride (/sup 203/Hg) were given orally daily by oral capsule to all females for the first seven days of each experiment. Egg production by chickens and quail was reduced by feeding 20 p.p.m. Hg. This effect of Hg was alleviated in quail but not in chickens by 8 p.p.m. Se. Se did not affect /sup 203/Hg excretion by chickens or quail, but the proportion of total /sup 203/Hg doses retained by quail was twice that of chickens. When fed simultaneously with Hg, Se increased the proportion of /sup 203/Hg deposited in egg white and in whole eggs of chickens and quail. Se decreased /sup 203/Hg in egg yolk. Similarly, the percent of total egg /sup 203/Hg in egg white was increased by Se while that in egg yolk was reduced. Dietary Se increased the retention of /sup 203/Hg in liver and brain tissue of chickens and quail. The effect of Se on /sup 203/Hg in red blood cells varied with level of Hg and with species of bird. The total Hg content of eggs and tissues, as determined on selected samples, closely paralleled /sup 203/Hg levels found. In general, the data indicate that major differences between chickens and quail exist with respect to the influence of Se on Hg metabolism.

• Research Organization: North Dakota State Univ., Fargo
• OSTI ID: 5414315
• Journal Information: Poult. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Poult. Sci.; (United States) Vol. 56:3; ISSN POSCA
• 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.
ANIMALS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOLOGICAL VARIABILITY
BIRDS
BLOOD
BODY
BODY FLUIDS
BRAIN
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISTRIBUTION
EGGS
ELEMENTS
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
GLANDS
HEAVY NUCLEI
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
ISOTOPES
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
LIVER
MATERIALS
MEMBRANE TRANSPORT
MERCURY 203
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
MERCURY ISOTOPES
METABOLISM
METHYLMERCURY
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
RADIOISOTOPES
RETENTION
SELENIUM
SEMIMETALS
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
TRACER TECHNIQUES
VERTEBRATES