Effects of boron and selenium on mallard reproduction and duckling growth and survival
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
By: T.R. Stanley Jr., G. J. Smith, D. J. Hoffman, G. H. Heinz, and R. Rosscoe
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Abstract
Boron (B) and selenium (Se) sometimes occur together in high concentrations in the environment and can accumulate in plants and invertebrates consumed by waterfowl. One hundred twenty-six pairs of breeding mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) were fed diets supplemented with B (as boric acid) at 0, 450, or 900 ppm, in combination with Se (as seleno-DL-methionine) at 0, 3.5, or 7 ppm, in a replicated factorial experiment. Ducklings produced received the same treatment combination as their parents. Boron and Se accumulated in adult liver, egg, and duckling liver. In adults, B and Se caused weight loss, and B decreased hemoglobin concentration, egg weight, and egg fertility. Both B and Se reduced hatching success and duckling weight, and B reduced duckling growth and duckling production, and caused several alterations in duckling liver biochemistry. Duckling survival was not reduced by B or Se, and neither B nor Se had histopathologic effects on adult or duckling liver, kidney, or spleen. There was little evidence of interaction between B and Se. This study demonstrated that B and Se, in the chemical forms and at the dietary levels administered in this study, can adversely affect mallard reproduction and duckling growth.
Suggested Citation
Stanley, T., Smith, G.J., Hoffman, D.J., Heinz, G.H., Rosscoe, R., 1996, Effects of boron and selenium on mallard reproduction and duckling growth and survival: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, v. 15, no. 7, p. 1124-1132, https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620150717.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Effects of boron and selenium on mallard reproduction and duckling growth and survival |
| Series title | Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry |
| DOI | 10.1002/etc.5620150717 |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue | 7 |
| Publication Date | July 01, 1996 |
| Year Published | 1996 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry |
| Contributing office(s) | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | 9 p. |
| First page | 1124 |
| Last page | 1132 |