Mercury effects on hepatic mitochondrial membranes
The proportion of free cytochrome c oxidase (CO) activity to total activity was measured in homogenates and isolated mitochondria from livers of chicks treated with up to 300 p.p.m. Hg in the drinking water. Hg treatment (200 p.p.m.) for 4 weeks increased the specific activity of CO in liver but had no effect on the proportion of free activity. The fatty acid composition of mitochondrial lipids was not affected by 200 p.p.m. Hg. The specific activity of CO was increased by 300 p.p.m. Hg for 4 weeks. In this experiment, Hg resulted in less free CO activity (as % of total) than in controls. When 250 p.p.m. Hg was administered in the drinking water from 1 through 9 weeks of age, the chicks exhibited severe tremors. CO specific activity was significantly increased and the susceptibility of mitochondria to rupture by freezing and thawing was significantly increased in Hg-treated chicks. The data suggest that moderate levels of mercury administered over an 8 week period can affect adversely the integrity of mitochondrial membranes.
- Research Organization:
- North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh
- OSTI ID:
- 5774563
- Journal Information:
- Poult. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Poult. Sci.; (United States) Vol. 55:5; ISSN POSCA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIRDS
BODY
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CELL CONSTITUENTS
CELL MEMBRANES
CHICKENS
CYTOCHROME OXIDASE
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DRINKING WATER
ELEMENTS
ENZYME ACTIVITY
ENZYMES
FOWL
FREEZING
GLANDS
HAEM DEHYDROGENASES
HOMOGENATES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INGESTION
INTAKE
LIPIDS
LIVER
MEMBRANES
MERCURY
METALS
MITOCHONDRIA
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANOIDS
ORGANS
OXIDOREDUCTASES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SENSITIVITY
THAWING
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES
WATER