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...