Sex differential of methylmercury toxicity in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)

Abstract

During a study of the effect of MeHg on blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), extensive differences between males and females in mercury toxicity were observed. The SHR model, which was developed for studying spontaneous hypertension in animals and essential hypertension in man, is used widely today for this purpose. Since the sex differences in MeHg intoxication have never been reported in SHR, it was thought the findings worthy of publication. Herein, the findings on sex differences in morbidity, mortality and blood pressure of SHR treated orally with MMC (2 mg/kg/day) for 26 consecutive days are presented.