PLACENTAL TRANSFER OF MERCURIC CHLORIDE, PHENYL MERCURY ACETATE AND METHYL MERCURY ACETATE IN MICE

Abstract

Three mercury compounds, such as mercuric chloride, phenyl mercury acetate and methyl mercury acetate, are subcutaneously injected to pregnant mice at the 14th day of their gestation. By use of radioactive mercury (203Hg), the extents of placental transfer are estimated on each mercury compound. The mercury of methyl mercury acetate is the most transferable across the placenta and the mercury of mercuric chloride and phenyl mercury acetate is blocked to about the same degree. The reten-tion of mercury in the amniotic membrane also differs with the sort of mercury compounds; the largest amount of mercury is found in the case of mercuric chloride and the smallest is in the case of methyl mercury chloride.