Assessment of a two-generation reproductive and fertility study of mercuric chloride in rats

Effects of mercuric chloride (MC) on the reproductive performance of two su ccessive generations of rats was evaluated. F-0 rats were exposed to 0.0:0. 0 (males:females), 0.50:0.75 (males:females), 1.00:1.50 (males:females) and 1.50:2.50 (males:females) mg/kg/ day MC. Selected parental F-1 males and f emales were exposed to the same doses received by their parents (F-0) Signi ficant differences resulting from exposure of the F-0 generation to MC were found in implantation efficiency, fertility, live births and day 4 surviva l indices, litter size, and the body weight of F-1 pups. However, the conti nued exposure of the F-1 generation to MC did not affect fertility index or litter size, but did significantly affect implantation efficiency, live bi rths and day 4 survival indices. In F-0 males, body weight and weights of t he kidneys, testes, epididymides, prostate and seminal Vesicles were signif icantly different, while in F-1 males, body weight, kidney weight, brain we ight, liver weight and the weights of the testes, prostate and seminal vesi cles were significantly different. In F-0 females, body weight and the weig hts of the kidneys, brain and liver were significantly different, while in F-1, females, body weight, as well as the weights of the kidneys, liver, ad renals, uterus and ovaries were significantly different. These data showed that exposure to MC resulted in more adverse reproductive effects in the fi rst generation and that these effects moderated in the second generation. ( C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.