[Interrelationships between methylmercury exposure and selenium supplementation in cockerels using selected...

A feed loading experiment was applied in 2 phases to 45 young cocks over 12 weeks, using 1,2-N,N-bis(methylmercury)-p-toluolsulphamide-dressed wheat (50% of base ration). Investigations were conducted to study the effects of selenium supplementation (0,2 mg Se as sodium selenite/l drinking water) on biochemical and hematological parameters (calcium, phosphorus, total protein, albumin, creatinine, urea, activity of alkaline phosphatase, hematocrit, hemoglobin, leucocyte count) as well as on parameters relating to toxicological residues (selenium and mercury levels in liver, musculature and kidneys). Statistically secured differences were found to exist between the experimental groups with regard to selenium and mercury in the liver and mercury concentrations in kidneys. Possible interrelationships were discussed.