Effects of Dietary Selenium and Mercury on House Crickets (Acheta domesticus L.): Implications of Environmental Co-exposures

Abstract

Selenium (Se) availability is an indicator of susceptibility to mercury (Hg) bioaccumulation and toxicity, but the mechanisms and extents of these effects are not well characterized. Although the mechanism remains undefined, reducing MeHg accumulation in insects at the base of the food web may contribute to the effect. This study investigated interactive effects of dietary selenium (0.1, 0.3, 1.0, 3.0, and 10 μmol Se/kg) with either 0 or 50 μmol MeHg on growth and survival of house crickets (Acheta domesticus L.), an easily manipulated insect model. Poor survival and slower growth and development were seen in crickets fed high levels of MeHg with low selenium. Increased dietary selenium resulted in improved survival and increased weight gains in crickets fed MeHg. On the basis of A. domesticus biomass at the end of the 5 week study, the optimum selenium intake was 3 μmol Se/kg. Signs of selenium deficiency were evident from diminished biomass in groups fed lower concentrations. Meanwhile selenium toxicity was apparent in the group fed 10 μmol Se/kg. Selenium's protective effects against MeHg toxicity have been demonstrated in all investigated species, but this is the first study to investigate the effect in insects. This study demonstrates that environmental selenium availability should also be considered when evaluating risks of environmental MeHg exposure.

This article not subject to United States copyright law.

The research described in this article was funded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency through grant agreement CR 830929–01, to the University of North Dakota Energy & Environmental Research Center. However, it has not been subjected to the Agency's peer and policy review and therefore does not necessarily reflect the views of the Agency and no official endorsement should be inferred.

Keywords:

• mercury
• selenium
• insects
• bioaccumulation
• toxicity

Notes

This article not subject to United States copyright law.

The research described in this article was funded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency through grant agreement CR 830929–01, to the University of North Dakota Energy & Environmental Research Center. However, it has not been subjected to the Agency's peer and policy review and therefore does not necessarily reflect the views of the Agency and no official endorsement should be inferred.

ATSDR (Agency of Toxic Substances and Disease Registry). 1999. Toxicological Profile for Mercury (Update). U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Agency of Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA