Volume 53 (2003) Issue: 2003 No#4

THE EFFECT OF SELENIUM ON PHENYL MERCURY TOXICITY AND MERCURY RETENTION IN CHICKEN

Author(s): Marettová Elena, Maretta M, Legat J, Nad P

Keywords:selenium, mercury, toxicity, retention, chicken

Phenylmercuric chloride in a dose 30 ppm of mercury alone and the same dose supplemented with 4 ppm of selenium were fed to chickens of both sexes for 8 weeks. Body weight, mortality rate, pathological changes and the level of mercury in the muscle, liver, and kidneys of the laying hens and cocks were analysed. After the dosage period, the mean body weight of the hens was unaffected, while in the group of cocks fed 30 ppm Hg without selenium addition, a decrease occured. In the group with Se addition no significant change in body weight of either sex was observed. Differences in the affinity of some organs to bind Hg were observed. Moreover, supplementation with 4 ppm of selenium resulted in significantly increased mercury levels in the organs analysed. The highest increase was found in the liver, but there was the same increasing tendency in the muscle and kidneys.