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Prenatal exposure to methylmercury alters development of adrenergic receptor binding sites in peripheral sympathetic target tissues.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Slotkin, TA; Orband, L; Cowdery, T; Kavlock, RJ; Bartolome, J
Published in: Toxicol Lett
February 1987

In order to assess the impact of prenatal exposure to methylmercury on sympathetic neurotransmission, effects on development of adrenergic receptor binding sites in peripheral tissues were evaluated. In the liver, methylmercury produced a dose-dependent increase in alpha 1-, alpha 2- and beta-receptor binding of radioligands throughout the first 5 weeks of postnatal life. Similarly, renal alpha-receptor subtypes showed increased binding capabilities, but binding to beta-receptor sites was reduced. At least some of the changes in receptors appear to be of functional significance, as physiological reactivity to adrenergic stimulation is altered in the same directions in these two tissues. The actions of methylmercury displayed tissue specificity in that the same receptor populations were largely unaffected in other tissues (lung, heart). These results suggest that methylmercury exposure in utero alters adrenergic responses through targeted effects on postsynaptic receptor populations in specific tissues.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Toxicol Lett

DOI

ISSN

0378-4274

Publication Date

February 1987

Volume

35

Issue

2-3

Start / End Page

285 / 295

Location

Netherlands

Related Subject Headings

  • Toxicology
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Rats
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
  • Pregnancy
  • Methylmercury Compounds
  • Lung
  • Liver
 

Citation

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Slotkin, T. A., Orband, L., Cowdery, T., Kavlock, R. J., & Bartolome, J. (1987). Prenatal exposure to methylmercury alters development of adrenergic receptor binding sites in peripheral sympathetic target tissues. Toxicol Lett, 35(2–3), 285–295. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-4274(87)90218-9
Slotkin, T. A., L. Orband, T. Cowdery, R. J. Kavlock, and J. Bartolome. “Prenatal exposure to methylmercury alters development of adrenergic receptor binding sites in peripheral sympathetic target tissues.Toxicol Lett 35, no. 2–3 (February 1987): 285–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-4274(87)90218-9.
Slotkin TA, Orband L, Cowdery T, Kavlock RJ, Bartolome J. Prenatal exposure to methylmercury alters development of adrenergic receptor binding sites in peripheral sympathetic target tissues. Toxicol Lett. 1987 Feb;35(2–3):285–95.
Slotkin, T. A., et al. “Prenatal exposure to methylmercury alters development of adrenergic receptor binding sites in peripheral sympathetic target tissues.Toxicol Lett, vol. 35, no. 2–3, Feb. 1987, pp. 285–95. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/0378-4274(87)90218-9.
Slotkin TA, Orband L, Cowdery T, Kavlock RJ, Bartolome J. Prenatal exposure to methylmercury alters development of adrenergic receptor binding sites in peripheral sympathetic target tissues. Toxicol Lett. 1987 Feb;35(2–3):285–295.
Journal cover image

Published In

Toxicol Lett

DOI

ISSN

0378-4274

Publication Date

February 1987

Volume

35

Issue

2-3

Start / End Page

285 / 295

Location

Netherlands

Related Subject Headings

  • Toxicology
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Rats
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
  • Pregnancy
  • Methylmercury Compounds
  • Lung
  • Liver