Lead effects in the chick during selenium deficiency

Abstract

1. Growing chicks (Gallus domesticus) were fed a selenium-deficient diet supplemented with 0 or 2000 ppm lead (Pb) and 0 or 0.1 ppm selenium (Se). 2. Selenium addition stimulated growth at 0 but not at 2000 ppm Pb, while Pb depressed growth at both levels of Se. 3. Selenium addition stimulated Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in liver, but Pb was without effect on GSH-Px activity. 4. Lead addition increased non-protein sulfhydryl (NPSH) concentrations in liver, kidney and thigh muscle. NPSH levels were not altered by Se. 5. The reported antagonism between Pb and Se does not appear to be mediated through effects on GSH-Px or NPSH metabolism.