Synergism of methylmercury and selenium producing enhanced antibody formation in mice.

Mice fed 1, 5, and 10 ppm methylmercury plus 6 ppm selenium for 10 wk had a significant increase in antibody synthesis. Since methylmercury singly depresses antibody synthesis and the response was greater than that produced by selenium alone, synergism between methylmercury and selenium occurred. In this case, the synergism is considered to be advantageous to a host, while exposure by other combinations of environmental contaminants may be detrimental. Mercury concentrations in the kidney were markedly elevated when methylmercury and selenium were administered simultaneously compared to when methylmercury was given without selenium supplement. These results indicate that data collected from individual pollutants may not be of value in predicting responses to multiple exposure.