More evidence for a selenium, arsenic interaction in modifying mercury toxicity

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

OSTI ID:6294983

El-Begearmi, M M; Ganther, H E; Sunde, M L

The addition of arsenic (15 or 30 p.p.m. As) as sodium arsenite or selenium (6 p.p.m. Se) as sodium selenite to a corn-soy diet did not affect the survival of Japanese quail or their offspring. When As, Se or their combinations were added to the diet along with 10 p.p.m. mercury (Hg) as methyl mercury, the combination of Hg + Se + As produced the best survival in the parents. At 16 weeks the survival percentages of the males were 5-12% in Hg fed groups compared to 62-76% in the Hg + Se groups and 83-100% with the 3 way combination. The corresponding data for the females were 68-76%, 65-93% and 93-96%. Survival percentages in the offspring in three experiments were 21-36%, 56-84% and 22-55% for the above combinations. These data show that the addition of As and Se to Hg diet had less effect on the survival of the offspring than on the adults. Additions of only As to the Hg diet were ineffective in improving survival of offspring.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison
• OSTI ID: 6294983
• Journal Information: Poult. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Poult. Sci.; (United States) Vol. 54:5; 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.
AGE DEPENDENCE
ANIMALS
ARSENIC
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIRDS
ELEMENTS
MERCURY
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
METALS
METHYLMERCURY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS
SELENIUM
SEMIMETALS
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES