Kinetics of Transplacental Movement of Mercury Fed in a Tuna Matrix to Mice

Abstract

The rate of accumulation and final net content of mercury in pregnant female mice was proportional to the level of mercury in the diet. The concentration of mercury in fetuses was also proportional to the maternal diet level. Although the fetus may contain up to twice the mother’s concentration of mercury at diet levels ≤ 0.005 ppm, the maternal load was greater at diet levels ≥ 0.05 ppm.