Development of reflexes in neonatal mice prenatally exposed to methylmercury and selenite |
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Authors: | H Satoh N Yasuda S Shimai |
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Affiliation: | Department of Hygiene, Fukushima Medical School, 5-75 Sugitsuma-cho, Fukushima-shi 960 Japan |
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Abstract: | The development of reflexes in neonates exposed prenatally to methylmercury and selenite was investigated. Pregnant mice were assigned to one of 4 treatments; methylmercury (MeHg), selenite(Se), combination of 2 compounds (MeHg X Se) and saline control (NaCl). Mice were injected subcutaneously (s.c.) on day 9 of gestation. The dose of each compound was 30 mumol/kg. Mercury (Hg) concentrations in the neonatal brain and liver of the MeHg X Se group were slightly lower than in the MeHg group. The results of behavioral examination revealed that the MeHg X Se group showed significantly improved development compared with the MeHg group. These facts suggest the possibility that selenium compounds have protective effects against methylmercury neurotoxicity in fetuses and neonates. |
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Keywords: | Methylmercury selenite prenatal exposure behaviour neonatal mice |
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