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The organ distribution of mercury was examined in the rat after oral administration of a single dose of red mercuric sulfide (15mg Hg/kg). The concentration of total mercury in the organs and blood after 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 and 72 hours of administration was determined by Quartz Tube Combustion-Gold Amalgamation Method. It was found that the maximal concentration of total mercury was in the kidneys and muscle within 24 hours and in the brain, heart, liver and blood within 48 Hours. The descending order of the maximal organ and blood concentration was: kidneys(1.08ppm)>bloodd muscle>heart>liver>brain. The accumluation states of total mercury in the rat organs were investigated by continuous administration of red mercuric sulfide (5mg Hg/kg/day) for 15 days. The mercury concentration increased progressively throughout the experimental period and the descending order of the highest level of mercury after 15 days was: kidneys (1. 55ppm)>blood>liver. The concentration of alkyl rnersury in brain, liver and kidneys also was measured after 7 and 15 days of consecutive administration of red mercuric sulfide (5mg Hg/kg/day). The concentration in the Kidneys and the liver was very low, but was significantly different from control group. The concentration in the brain was extremely low and was not significantly different from control group.
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