Pathological effects of in utero methylmercury exposure on the cerebellum of the golden hamster: early effects upon the neonatal cerebellar cortex-Part I

Journal Article · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Environ. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-9351(81)90205-X· OSTI ID:5724801

Reuhl, K R ^[1]; Chang, L W; Townsend, J W

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1. National Research Council, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Pregnant golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) were given either a single dose of 10 mg methylmercury/kg on gestational day 10 or daily doses of 2 mg/kg on gestational days 10-15. Cerebella of experimental and control offspring were examined by light and electron microscopy during the first month of postnatal life. Degenerative changes, characterized by accumulations of lysosomes and areas of floccular cytoplasmic degradation, were frequently observed in neuroblasts of the external granular layer (EGL) as well as in more differentiated neural elements in the molecular and internal granular layers. Pyknotic nuclei were seen singly and in groups throughout the EGL of treated animals. Developing dendrites appeared particularly sensitive to methylmercury. Affected dendrites were swollen and packed with degenerating cytoplasmic material. Astrocytes and perivascular macrophages also contained large aggregates of irregular electron-opague debris, lysosomes, and large lipid droplets. Pathological alterations in the cerebellum were most pronounced during the first 15 days of postpartum life.

• OSTI ID: 5724801
• Journal Information: Environ. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Res.; (United States) Vol. 26:2; ISSN ENVRA
• 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
BODY
BRAIN
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CEREBELLUM
HAMSTERS
INJURIES
MAMMALS
METHYLMERCURY
NEONATES
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PATHOLOGY
RODENTS
VERTEBRATES