Influence of selenium on toxicity and metabolism of methylmercury in chicks and quail

Journal Article · Tue Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1974 · Nutr. Rep. Int.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6199083

Sell, J L; Horani, F G

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of dietary selenium (Se as sodium selenite) on the toxicity of mercury (Hg as methylmercuric chloride) for chicks and Japanese quail. Mortality occurred only among chicks and quail fed 20 ppm Hg. The incidence and severity of signs of Hg toxicity (tremors, loss of balance, etc.) were higher in quail than in chicks. Signs of Hg toxicity and mortality did not occur in chicks or quail when 8 ppm Se was included in the Hg-containing diets. Hg depressed weight gains of chicks significantly, and Se markedly enhanced this effect of Hg. Neither Hg nor Se, alone or in combination, affected gain by quail. Se decreased the proportion of ingested Hg deposited in livers of chicks by nearly 50% as compared with chicks fed Hg but no Se. In contrast, nearly twice as much Hg was present in livers of quail fed Hg and Se than in those of quail fed Hg only. Se also decreased the concentration of Hg in breast muscle of chicks but did not change the Hg levels in muscle of quail or in brains of either species. The weight gain, liver Hg and muscle Hg data indicate that Se modifies the toxicity and metabolism of Hg differently in chicks than in quail.

• Research Organization: North Dakota State Univ., Fargo
• OSTI ID: 6199083
• Journal Information: Nutr. Rep. Int.; (United States), Journal Name: Nutr. Rep. Int.; (United States) Vol. 14:4; ISSN NURIB
• 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
BIRDS
CHICKENS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
ELEMENTS
FOWL
GROWTH
INHIBITION
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
METABOLISM
METHYLMERCURY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
SELENIUM
SEMIMETALS
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES