Mercury bioaccumulation in eggs of hens experimentally intoxicated with methylmercury chloride and detoxified with a humic-aluminosilicate preparation

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of preventivedetox preparation (P-dP) based on humic and aluminosilicate substances in the diet of laying hens (3% daily dose) previously intoxicated with methylmercury chloride (CH3ClHg, 5 mg Hg/kg feed mixture) for six weeks. Mercury content in the whole eggs of the group intoxicated with CH3ClHg increased compared to the control group: 488-fold after 1 wk, 622-fold after 2 wks, and 853-fold after 6 wks of intoxication. The use of P-dP in the group previously intoxicated with CH3ClHg reduced he mercury content of whole eggs by 18.4%, on average, whereas the average was 29.9% two weeks after the discontinuation of CH3ClHg and P-dP supply. Maximum Hg content in the whole egg was observed in group III (299.7 g), whereas the highest mercury level was obtained in the egg albumen.