Oral exposure of pregnant rats to toxic doses of methylmercury alters fetal accumulation.
Methylmercury (CH3Hg+) is an environmental toxicant that may lead to significant pathologies in exposed individuals. The current study assessed the disposition and toxicological effects of 2.5 or 7.5mgkg-1 CH3Hg+, conjugated to cysteine (Cys; Cys-S-CH3Hg) and administered orally to pregnant and non-pregnant Wistar and TR- rats. Rats were euthanized on gestational day 20 and the content of mercury in each fetus, amniotic sac, and placenta was determined. The brain, liver, and kidneys were removed from each fetus for estimation of mercury content. From the dams, a sample of blood, kidneys, liver, and brain were removed at the time of euthanasia. The findings from this study indicate that pregnancy leads to significant changes in the handling of mercuric ions, particularly in the liver. Furthermore, there are significant differences in the handling of non-nephrotoxic and nephrotoxic doses of Cys-S-CH3Hg by maternal and fetal organs.
['Oliveira|Cláudia|C|', 'Joshee|Lucy|L|', 'George|Hannah|H|', 'Nijhara|Sanya|S|', 'Bridges|Christy|C|']
D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters D000284:Administration, Oral D000653:Amniotic Fluid D000818:Animals D001921:Brain D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules D003545:Cysteine D004785:Environmental Pollutants D005260:Female D005333:Fetus D007668:Kidney D008099:Liver D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange D008767:Methylmercury Compounds D010920:Placenta D011247:Pregnancy D011922:Rats, Mutant Strains D017208:Rats, Wistar D014599:Uterus
Methylmercury Mercury Fetus Placenta Metals