Biomaterial Database

Methylmercury teratogenesis in the killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus. 1977

P Weis, and J S Weis

Exposure of developing eggs of the killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus, to 0.03 or 0.04 mg/l of methylmercuric chloride resulted in a variety of abnormalities. Percentage of axis formation was reduced somewhat, and many embryos developed cyclopia or intermediate conditions leading to cyclopia, reflecting interference with induction of the forebrain. Defects in the cardiovascular system also appeared in the form of failure of the heart to differentiate properly into chambers. The heart was a thin, feebly beating tube, incapable of causing the blood to circulate. Other tissues, however, continued developing fairly normally, and embryos showed spontaneous movement comparable to controls. Embryos with severe cardiovascular or optic defects did not hatch. Upon hatching, some embryos which had previously appeared normal were found to have skeletal malformations in the form of vertebral bends or the inability to uncurl from the position which they had while still inside the chorion. Exposure to the toxicant for shorter periods of time (6, 12, or 24 hours) reduced the incidence of abnormalities. The second day of development was found to be the most sensitive period.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007695	Killifishes	Small oviparous fishes mostly in the family Cyprinodontidae but also some members of families Aplocheilidae, Fundulidae, Profundulidae, and Rivulidae. Some killifishes are used in mosquito control. Killifishes are vertebrate model organisms in various fields, e.g., environmental toxicology and neurobiology, because of their short lifespans, ease of maintenance and large number of eggs produced.	Cyprinodon,Cyprinodontidae,Pupfishes
D009941	Organomercury Compounds	Organic compounds which contain mercury as an integral part of the molecule.	Compounds, Organomercury
D001842	Bone and Bones	A specialized CONNECTIVE TISSUE that is the main constituent of the SKELETON. The principal cellular component of bone is comprised of OSTEOBLASTS; OSTEOCYTES; and OSTEOCLASTS, while FIBRILLAR COLLAGENS and hydroxyapatite crystals form the BONE MATRIX.	Bone Tissue,Bone and Bone,Bone,Bones,Bones and Bone,Bones and Bone Tissue,Bony Apophyses,Bony Apophysis,Condyle,Apophyses, Bony,Apophysis, Bony,Bone Tissues,Condyles,Tissue, Bone,Tissues, Bone
D004305	Dose-Response Relationship, Drug	The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug.	Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response
D005124	Eye Abnormalities	Congenital absence of or defects in structures of the eye; may also be hereditary.	Abnormalities, Eye,Abnormality, Eye,Eye Abnormality
D005399	Fishes	A group of cold-blooded, aquatic vertebrates having gills, fins, a cartilaginous or bony endoskeleton, and elongated bodies covered with scales.
D006257	Head	The upper part of the human body, or the front or upper part of the body of an animal, typically separated from the rest of the body by a neck, and containing the brain, mouth, and sense organs.	Heads
D006330	Heart Defects, Congenital	Developmental abnormalities involving structures of the heart. These defects are present at birth but may be discovered later in life.	Congenital Heart Disease,Heart Abnormalities,Abnormality, Heart,Congenital Heart Defect,Congenital Heart Defects,Defects, Congenital Heart,Heart Defect, Congenital,Heart, Malformation Of,Congenital Heart Diseases,Defect, Congenital Heart,Disease, Congenital Heart,Heart Abnormality,Heart Disease, Congenital,Malformation Of Heart,Malformation Of Hearts
D000014	Abnormalities, Drug-Induced	Congenital abnormalities caused by medicinal substances or drugs of abuse given to or taken by the mother, or to which she is inadvertently exposed during the manufacture of such substances. The concept excludes abnormalities resulting from exposure to non-medicinal chemicals in the environment.	Drug-Induced Abnormalities,Abnormalities, Drug Induced,Abnormality, Drug-Induced,Drug Induced Abnormalities,Drug-Induced Abnormality
D000367	Age Factors	Age as a constituent element or influence contributing to the production of a result. It may be applicable to the cause or the effect of a circumstance. It is used with human or animal concepts but should be differentiated from AGING, a physiological process, and TIME FACTORS which refers only to the passage of time.	Age Reporting,Age Factor,Factor, Age,Factors, Age