Summary
Wistar strain of male rats of 100–110 g were used, 5 for an experimental and 5 for control group. 1 mg of organic mercury (methyl methylmercuric sulfide: CH3HgSCH3) was given by mouth each day for 10 days (total dose 9–10 mg) to the experimental group. 600 days afterwards the experimental and control rats were killed.
Only the peripheral nerves showed changes, small myelinated nerve fibres with thick myelin sheaths in groups. Around these fibres occurred extremely small myelinated nerve fibres and isolated large unmyelinated fibres, and appeared to be regenerated fibres. Destruction of myelin sheaths and cavity formation in the axons were observed in these fibres. The changes in the axons were remarkable at the nodes of Ranvier.
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Miyakawa, T., Sumiyoshi, S. & Deshimaru, M. Late changes in sciatic nerve of rats after a small dose of methyl methylmercury sulfide. Acta Neuropathol 30, 33–41 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00685320
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00685320