Effects of oral administration of toxic levels of lead and selenium upon concentration of different elements in the liver of broiler chicks.

Broiler chicks fed lead or selenium for varying periods were later intoxicated with two levels of either of these elements. In this way different groups of chicks were exposed to lead or selenium alone or a combination of these two. Lead caused increased liver concentrations of lead and iron. Selenium administration increased liver selenium and iron levels while liver copper decreased. Concurrent administration of lead and selenium greatly enhanced the accumulation of both elements in the liver and increased the liver iron. Lead partially counteracted the depression of liver copper caused by selenium. Mortality due to concurrent exposure to lead and selenium was lower when vitamin E was added to the feed. Body weights were markedly suppressed by selenium. The concurrent administration of lead partially alleviated the growth depression caused by selenium. Selenium fed birds had increased relative weights of liver and heart but this increase was of lesser degree in birds given both elements.