Mercury accumulation in lens following single administration of methylmercury

Mercury levels in the lens, aqueous humor, blood and plasma after a single administration of methylmercuric chloride (MMC, 10 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg) were studied in Wistar rats. The animals were sacrificed on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th, 21st and 180th days following administration. Mercury levels in each tissue after MMC 20 mg/kg treatment were higher than after 10 mg/kg treatment. Mercury levels in the blood, plasma and aqueous humor on the 1st day following administration were significantly high. On the other hand, the highest mercury level in the lens was shown on the 7th day after administration. Total concentration of the lens mercury on the 180th day was almost equal to that on the 21st day. These results suggested active accumulation of mercury takes place in the lens and that retention is at a high concentration for over half a year even after only a single administration.