Distribution of mercury among components of eggs following the administration of methylmercuric chloride to chickens

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1974 · J. Agric. Food Chem.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/jf60192a031· OSTI ID:6445796

Sell, J L; Guenter, W; Sifri, M

The mercury concentration of eggs produced by hens fed 10 ppm of CH/sub 3/HgCl for 10 days increased sharply through 12 days of the experiment and then declined slowly for the subsequent 58 days. Maximum concentrations of more than 10 and 5 ppm of Hg were attained in whites and yolks of eggs, respectively. A similar pattern of response was observed with regard to radioactivity in eggs after hens were given 25 ..mu..Ci of CH/sub 3//sup 203/HgCl by a single i.p. injection. During the 70-day trial, hens fed CH/sup 3/HgCl deposited 55% of the total Hg consumed in eggs, while eggs produced by hens given CH/sub 3//sup 203/HgCl contained 65% of the total radioactivity administered. Mercury was found in whites, yolks, and shells of eggs, with more than 80% of the total egg Hg occurring in the white. Additional research showed that the majority of the Hg in egg white was associated with the protein, ovalbumin, rather than with ovotransferrin, ovoglobulin, or ovomucoid.

• Research Organization: North Dakota State Univ., Fargo
• OSTI ID: 6445796
• Journal Information: J. Agric. Food Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Agric. Food Chem.; (United States) Vol. 22:2; ISSN JAFCA
• 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
BIRDS
BUILDUP
CHICKENS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONTAMINATION
EGGS
FOWL
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
TIME DEPENDENCE
UPTAKE
VERTEBRATES