Alteration of inorganic mercury accumulation due to selenite in organs of mice fed methylmercury.

Mice were fed methylmercury (10 nmol/g feed) and selenite (0, 8, 20 or 50 nmol/ml drinking water) for one or two weeks. Doses of selenite and duration of feeding were determining factors of total mercury and inorganic mercury concentrations in organs. Increasing the dose of selenite produced the following results: concentration of total mercury increased in the brain and liver and decreased in the blood, kidneys and spleen; concentration of inorganic mercury increased in the liver and spleen, decreased in the kidneys, and remained unchanged in the brain; the rate of inorganic mercury to total mercury increased in the liver and spleen, decreased in the brain, and remained unchanged in the kidneys. In every case, inorganic mercury in the blood was below the detection limit.