Light and electron microscopic study of fetal lung following maternal exposure to methylmercuric chloride

Abstract

Varying dose levels of methylmercuric chloride (MMC), 1000 ppm (5 mg through 15 mglkg of body weight), were administered via an intragastric tube to pregnant ICR SwissIWebster mice on day 9 of gestation. The animals were killed on gestational day 18 and the fetuses removed. Fetal lung sections were processed for light and electron microscopy. A group of animals treated with physiological saline in a similar mannner served as the controls. The fetal lungs from treated animals were hypoplastic and retarded in development. The severity of pulmonary changes increased with the dose-levels of MMC. Vacuolation and lysis of mitochondria were seen in fetal lungs. Mitochondrial damage increased in severity with doselevel of methylmercuric chloride.