Mercury in the rat hypothalamic arcuate nucleus and median eminence after mercury vapor exposure.

A histochemical technique has been used to reveal mercury deposits in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus and median eminence of adult male rats. After exposure to long-term, low-level or short-term, high-level mercury vapor, silver-enhanced mercury grains were found in neurons of the arcuate nucleus. In addition mercury deposits were found in tanycytes, ciliated ependymal cells, and in the walls of capillaries. The mechanisms underlying uptake and possible induction of toxic effects are discussed.