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Reproductive Toxicology
Volume 1, Issue 4, 1987-1988, Pages 267-278
 
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doi:10.1016/0890-6238(87)90018-9    
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Copyright © 1988 Published by Elsevier Science Inc.

Methylmercury effects on reproduction and offspring size at birth

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Thomas M. Burbachera, b, c, Mostafa K. Mohamed and N. Karle Mottettb, c, d, Corresponding Author Contact Information, a

a Department of Environmental Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA

b Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA

c Department of Child Development and Mental Retardation Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA

d Department of Regional Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA


Received 19 November 1977; 
accepted 31 December 1987. 
Available online 8 November 2002.

Abstract

This article describes a study of the toxic, reproductive, and developmental effects of chronic methylmercury (MeHg) exposure in Macaca fascicularis monkeys. Adult and infant monkeys were studied using procedures to assess maternal and newborn blood Hg concentrations, menstrual cyclicity, conception rate, reproductive outcome, maternal toxicity, and offspring size at birth. Maternal intakes of 0, 50, 70, or 90 μg/kg/d MeHg hydroxide were studied. Maternal blood Hg concentrations reached equilibrium by 10 weeks of exposure. The half-life of blood Hg for adult females ranged from 15 to 40 days (Image ) and did not vary with dose. Maternal MeHg exposure did not affect the length of the menstrual cycle or the conception rate. Maternal MeHg exposure did significantly reduce the number of viable deliveries at blood Hg concentrations above 1.5 ppm. Maternal blood Hg concentrations at delivery were significantly lower than newborn concentrations. No effect of maternal MeHg exposure on offspring size at birth was observed. Maternal toxicity was related to blood Hg concentrations above 2.0 ppm following approximately one year of exposure. Results indicate that MeHg exposure can affect reproductive outcome at levels that do not overt toxicity.

Author Keywords: Methylmercury; Reproduction; Offspring size; Maternal toxicity

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Corresponding Author Contact Information Address correspondence to: Thomas M. Burbacher, Ph.D., Department of Environmental Health (SC-34), University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195.


Reproductive Toxicology
Volume 1, Issue 4, 1987-1988, Pages 267-278
 
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