Physiological effects of mercury in the domestic chicken

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1973 · Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5119458

Parkhurst, C R; Cogburn, L A; Thaxton, P

Mercury (Hg) at the level of 250 ppm in the drinking water of young cockerels caused several physiological changes. The growth, livability, and feed and water efficiencies of the birds were decreased markedly. The relative weights of the heart and adrenal glands were increased after 5 weeks of treatment. At this same time the relative weights of the liver, spleen, and bursa of Fabricius were decreased. After 5 and 14 weeks of continuous treatment the relative total testes weights remained unchanged, although inhibition of maturation of the testes was observed following 16 weeks of treatment. A depression of the circulating levels of hemagglutinins to sheep erythrocytes as well as agglutinins to a Salmonella pullorum antigen was noted. However, the plasma levels of glucose, protein, total lipid, cholesterol, uric acid, and hemoglobin as well as blood pH were not changed. Several hematologic changes occurred. The hematocrit and total erythrocyte number increased, while the total leucocyte number decreased. The absolute number of lymphocytes decreased and concomitantly the absolute number of heterophils increased. No consistent changes in the absolute numbers of monocytes, basophils, or eosinophils were found. These data suggest that in the domestic fowl dietary Hg causes a systemic toxicity which is characterized by several interrelated physiological alterations.

• Research Organization: North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh
• OSTI ID: 5119458
• Journal Information: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States) Vol. 4; ISSN EVHPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIRDS
BLOOD CHEMISTRY
BODY
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
CHICKENS
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
ELEMENTS
FOWL
GLANDS
GONADS
GROWTH
HEART
INHIBITION
LIVER
MALE GENITALS
MATURATION
MERCURY
METALS
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
SPLEEN
TESTES
VERTEBRATES