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Absorption and disposition of /sup 203/Hg in the pregnant and nonpregnant hamster following oral administration of (/sup 203/Hg)methylmercuric chloride

Journal Article · · Environ. Res.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6500950
 [1];
  1. National Center for Toxicological Research, Jefferson AR
The absorption and disposition of /sup 203/Hg was determined in pregnant and nonpregnant golden hamsters by means of ..gamma.. scintillation spectroscopy. The animals were given 5 ..mu..Ci(/sup 203/Hg)methylmercuric chloride orally on gestation Day 9. Urine and feces were collected until Day 15, when the animals were sacrificed. Adult and fetal tissues were analyzed for /sup 203/Hg concentrations. At 12 h postintubation, pregnant hamsters absorbed more of the administered dose and eliminated less methylmercury in the feces than nonpregnant animals. Beyond 12 h postintubation, the absorption and elimination patterns were similar in both groups. Comparison of organs from pregnant and nonpregnant animals revealed greater methylmercury concentrations in the cerebella, pons-medullas, and spleens of pregnant females. The fetal head was found to contain significantly more methylmercury than the fetal body.
OSTI ID:
6500950
Journal Information:
Environ. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Res.; (United States) Vol. 24:1; ISSN ENVRA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English