TRANSPLACENTAL EFFECT OF ORGANOMERCURIAL .1. MICRONUCLEUS TEST

The effect of O-hydroxymercuribenzoic acid anhydride on the frequency of micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes of bone marrow of pregnan t ICR mice and in liver of their foetuses was determined. The single i ntraperitoneal administration of tested organomercurial on 15-th day o f gestation induced statistically significant increase of micronuclei in both tissues. Placenta did not act as a barrier for this compound. The results of transplacental micronucleus test with O-hydroxymercurib enzoic acid anhydride confirmed the cytotoxicity of this compound and harmful effect both on pregnant ICR mice and their foetuses. The usefu lness of such studies with intrauterine exposure for different mercury compounds was demonstrated.