Differences in the distribution of methyl mercury in erythrocytes, plasma, and brain of Japanese quails and rats after a single oral dose.
Distribution of a single oral dose of methyl mercury (10 mg Hg/kg body weight) was followed from 90 min up to 120 h in plasma, erythrocytes, and brain of Japanese quails and rats. Significantly higher Hg concentrations were observed in plasma and brain of quails and red blood cells of rats. Blood/brain ratio decreased in quails from 6 to 2 at 24 h and 120 h respectively, whereas it increased in rats. Erythrocyte/plasma ratio in quails was about three times lower and averaged 54. The differences in Hg distribution were accompanied by a more than 3-fold higher acute toxicity in quails under adequate experimental conditions.
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D003370:Coturnix; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013045:Species Specificity; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D008767:Methylmercury Compounds