Mercury and Silver Interrelationships with Copper

Abstract

Studies were conducted to determine whether both mercury and silver were antagonistic to copper in the nutrition of the chick. Although there was a statistical interaction between mercury and copper, it was not one of antagonism. Mercury did not reduce growth or increase mortality of copper-deficient chicks, but had both these effects when the diet was supplemented with copper. Silver was antagonistic to copper in that all the symptoms of copper deficiency were accentuated in the presence of silver and absence of copper. In the presence of copper, silver had no effect. These effects are explained on the basis of the similarities between the Ag⁺⁺ ion and the Cu⁺⁺ ion and the dissimilarities between the Hg⁺⁺ ion and either Cu⁺ or Cu⁺⁺ ions.