Absorption and distribution of mercury in rats fed organs from rats injected with various mercury compounds

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1969 · Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0041-008X(69)90054-4· OSTI ID:6384358

Ulfvarson, U

An investigation was made to show how different mercury compounds are absorbed and distributed in a model of a food chain: animals preyed upon to predatory animals. Near-lethal doses of methylmercury hydroxide, methoxyethylmercury hydroxide, phenylmercury hydroxide, or mercury nitrate were injected subcutaneously into rats. Their organs or muscles were fed to other rats. When the rats in the second series had consumed the intended quantities of the organs or muscles (between 1 and 2 weeks) they were killed, and their organs were taken for analysis. The typical distribution pattern of methylmercury compounds, with the rather even distribution among the organs, was observed in the second series of animals, which were fed with organs and muscles containing methylmercury compounds. It is therefore probable that the methylmercury compound remains unchanged in the transport from one animal to another. The distribution of mercury among the organs in the other groups of the second series was rather similar in each case, being both less typical and more complex; consequently conclusions could not be drawn regarding the chemical form in which the mercury existed. The rate of excretion was of the greatest importance. Although the period of feeding was relatively short, the animals that were given organs containing methylmercury hydroxide obtained lethal doses in the course of the experiment, while all other animals were found to have concentrations in the organs that were sublethal. Methylmercury hydroxide was found to have the lowest rate of excretion in earlier experiments.

• Research Organization: National Inst. of Occupational Health, Stockholm, Sweden
• OSTI ID: 6384358
• Journal Information: Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.; (United States), Vol. 15, Issue 3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
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BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
EXCRETION
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
TOXICITY
ORGANS
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