ISSN:
1573-6865
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract The autometallographic technique was used to demonstrate the localization of mercury in dorsal root ganglia of adult Wistar rats. The animals were either exposed to mercury vapour, 100 μg Hg m−3, 6 h day−1, 5 days per week, or treated with organic mercury in the drinking water, 20 mg CH3HgCl per litre, for 4 weeks. The effect of orally administered sodium selenite on the pattern of intracellular distribution of mercury in these two situations was investigated. In rats exposed to mercury vapour alone, faint staining was present in ganglion cells. The selenite induced a conspicuous incre ase in the number of stained cells and in the intracellular staining intensity. In rats treated with organic mercury, mercury deposits were detected within ganglion cells and macrophages. The number of mercury-containing cells was increased by co- administration of selenite. In addition, satellite cells, the capsule and vessel walls were faintly stained. Twenty weeks after cessation of the organic mercury treatmen t, mercury staining was reduced. Again, selenite treatment enhanced staining intensity. When studied using the electron microscope, mercury was restricted to lysosomes, irrespective of treatments. The present study shows that the deposition of autometallographic mercury in the dorsal root ganglia depends on the chemical type of mercury, the co-administration of selenite and the length of the survival period.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1026493607861
Permalink