Pathology of subacute methylmercurialism in swine

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1976 · Cornell Vet.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5650701

Davies, T S; Nielsen, S W; Kircher, C H

Clinical signs of toxicosis, neurologic lesions, and elevated tissue residues of methylmercury (MM) were produced in 12 pigs by oral administration of 1.29, 0.86, 0.64, and 0.43 mg mercury/kg of body weight daily as methylmercuric hydroxide (MMH). Clinical signs which began on day 17 were ataxia, dysmetria, blindness, convulsions, paresis, and death. Time of onset of signs was inversely related to size of daily dose. Microscopic lesions were found in the cerebrum, brain stem, and spinal cord, and correlated well with clinical signs. The cerebrum in which severity of lesions was directly related to length of exposure was the most severely affected region of the central nervous system (CNS). Lesions were neuronal necrosis, neuronophagia, cortical vacuolation, axon swelling, gliosis, leptomeningitis, and vascular fibrinoid necrosis. Neuronal necrosis was most extensive within mid and deep cerebrocortical laminae. Brain residues of MM were directly proportional to the size of daily dose, and statistically significant. Distribution of MM among different tissues was rather uniform with highest concentrations found in liver, followed by kidneys, muscles, spleen, and brain. 58 references, 5 figures, 5 tables.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Connecticut, Storrs
• OSTI ID: 5650701
• Journal Information: Cornell Vet.; (United States), Journal Name: Cornell Vet.; (United States) Vol. 66:1; ISSN COVEA
• 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
BODY
BRAIN
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CEREBRUM
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISTRIBUTION
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
GLANDS
INJURIES
KIDNEYS
LIVER
MAMMALS
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
METHYLMERCURY
MUSCLES
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORAL ADMINISTRATION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
SPINAL CORD
SPLEEN
SWINE
SYMPTOMS
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES