Ultrastructure and Microsomal Protein Content of Mouse Liver Treated with Methyl Mercury *

Abstract

Absiraci: 24 male NMRI mice weighing about 17 g each were divided into two equal groups. Group 1 was treated intraperitoneally with methyl mercury nitrate. The dose was 0.3 mg Hglkg in 0.5 ml water. Group 2, which was kept as a control, was treated with 0.5 ml water intraperitoneally. After 7 days all the mice were sacrificed. As seen by electron microscopy, the smooth endoplasmic reticulum was proliferated and vesicular in all the mice treated with methyl mercury. The mean liver microsomal protein content was significantly increased in group 1 as compared to group 2 (the controls).