phenylmercuric-acetate and Fetal-Growth-Retardation

Tested was the embryotoxic and teratogenic action of the organic mercury compounds (phenyl mercuric acetate), containing 2 per cent mercury, on albino rats. The preparation was introduced orally during pregnancy in the form of a 2 per cent water solution at the following rates: I group--1/8 LD50 (= 4 mg Hg/kg body mass) on the 4th and 5th day of pregnancy; II group--1/3 LD50 (= 10 mg Hg/kg) on the 4th and 5th day too; III group--1/8 LD50 (= 4 mg Hg/kg) from the 3rd to the 19th day; IV group--control animals. The preparation proved to be highly toxic with the animals of the II group, with high mortality rate (42.85 per cent). No teratogenic effect with malformations was produced with the three test groups during embryogenesis.

Topics: Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; Animals; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Embryo, Mammalian; Embryonic and Fetal Development; Female; Fetal Growth Retardation; Male; Phenylmercuric Acetate; Phenylmercury Compounds; Pregnancy; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains

Embryotoxic and teratogenic effects of phenyl mercury acetate and methyl mercury chloride were studied on 66 pregnant females of golden hamster, 86 rats, and 62 rabbits. The mercury compounds were given by the stomach tube from the 5th to 12th days of pregnancy once or three times in single doses ranged from 1-6 to 1-2 DL50. The obtained results indicated to the embryotoxic effects of phenyl mercury acetate. This compound induced resorptions, dead foetuses, retardation of the development, diminished cranial ossification, edemata of the body, haematomas and open eyes. The methyl mercury chloride proved to be embryotoxic and teratogenic. The compound produced similar embryotoxic lesions as did phenyl mercury acetate and induced developmental malformations of the foetus (e.g.: encephalocele and hernia spinalis).

Topics: Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; Abnormalities, Multiple; Animals; Cricetinae; Embryo, Mammalian; Female; Fetal Growth Retardation; Fetal Resorption; Fetus; Mesocricetus; Methylmercury Compounds; Phenylmercuric Acetate; Phenylmercury Compounds; Pregnancy; Rabbits; Teratogens