[Toxic effects of methoxy-ethyl-mercury in the quail: influence of fasting]

Quails fed methoxy-ethyl-mercury-treated wheat (20 ppm of Hg) during 10 or 20 days, have been submitted to a three-day fasting following contamination. The test proved to be lethal for a number of intoxicated animals but not for controls. Mercury clearance was modified by anorexia; following fasting, there was a redistribution of the metal, with high concentrations in the liver and kidneys. According to the results of a blood survey uric acid, urea and T. G. O. levels appeared to be the most altered parameters. Transient high blood uric acid levels in intoxicated and anorectic animals could be attributed to kidney dysfunctioning. A possible effect of methoxy-ethyl-mercury on neoglycogenesis was discussed.