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-1CH3Hg+, 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.
Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA, USA.
Cláudia
C
Oliveira
Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA, USA.
Lucy
L
Joshee
Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA, USA.
Hannah
H
George
Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA, USA.
Sanya
S
Nijhara
Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA, USA. Electronic address: Bridges_cc@mercer.edu.
Christy
C
Bridges
D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000235:genetics; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000235:genetics; D003545:Cysteine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity* / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000633:toxicity / Q000652:urine; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011922:Rats, Mutant Strains; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism
D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D003545:Cysteine; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; C423013:Abcc2 protein, rat; C110936:Havcr1 protein, rat
Fetus; Mercury; Metals; Methylmercury; Placenta