V. L. Miller

Absorption, distribution and excretion of phenylmercuric acetate.

Abstract Phenylmercuric acetate was given intravenously, intramuscularly, or per os to chicks, rats, and dogs. The compound is apparently absorbed unchanged. Metabolism in the body was fairly rapid, detectable amounts of phenylmercuric acetate occurring for only approximately 96 hours. Small amounts were excreted in the urine.

Absorption, distribution, and excretion of ethylmercuric chloride

Abstract Ethylmercuric chloride was given to chicks and rats intramuscularly and orally. The compound is apparently absorbed unchanged. Metabolism of ethylmercury is much slower than of phenylmercury. Intact ethylmercury is detectable in the liver and kidneys for 21 days after dosing. The ethylmercury is present to a much greater extent in the chick liver than in the kidney, whereas in the rat, the ethylmercury is predominantly in the kidney and blood.

Mercury retention in two strains of mice.

Abstract Two strains of mice were given 3.0 mg of mercury as mercuric chloride, phenylmercuric acetate, or methyl- mercuric chloride. The type A mice tended to retain more mercury in the liver and kidneys from injections of all three mercurials over an 8-day test period than did type C57 mice. Mercury from mercuric chloride was retained primarily in the kidneys of both strains and from phenylmercuric acetate by the A strain. Mercury from methylmercuric chloride was retained in about equal amounts by the liver and kidneys of both strains and by the C57 strain from phenylmercuric acetate.

Strain Differences in Mercury Retention by Chicks.

Summary Studies made with 3 strains of chicks showed one strain to be significantly different in retention of mercury in liver and kidneys, following intramuscular injections of phenylmercury acetate or mercuric chloride. Differences following injection of equivalent amounts of mercury as ethylmercury chloride or Salyrgan were much less. Mercury retention was greater in the strain selected for resistance to lymphomatosis than in the 2 susceptible strains which showed little difference.

Differences in copper retention in two strains of chickens.

Abstract Cupric acetate was injected intramuscularly in two strains of chickens developed by selection for a difference in susceptibility to the avian leukosis complex. When given a dose of 9.1 mg copper per kilogram of body weight as cupric acetate, one strain retained significantly more copper in the liver than the other strain. However, when injected with a dose of 0.91 mg copper per kilogram of body weight as cupric acetate no differences were observed.