Poisoning in Ferrets by Tissues of Alkyl Mercury-Fed Chickens

Chickens were fed alkyl mercury-dressed wheat (mercury content about 8 mg/kg) for 35–44 days and were then immediately sacrificed. No signs of untoward effects were observed. Muscle of the chickens, and a minor proportion of liver, were fed to two groups of two ferrets (Mustela furo L. × M. putorius L.), the mercury content of the diet being 7 and 5 mg/kg, respectively. The ferrets of the first group died after 35 and 36 days and those of the second after 58 days. The experimental ferrets showed a marked weight loss, attributable to muscular atrophy in addition to a reduced food intake. Clinical signs appeared in two to three weeks and were primarily neurological such as ataxia, trembling and paralysis. The signs could be correlated with pronounced degenerative changes of the central and peripheral nervous systems involving mainly the cerebellum and peripheral nerves and, to a lesser extent, the cerebrum and the spinal cord. Hypoplasia of the lymphatic tissue of the spleen and degeneration of the graafian follicles were seen as well. High mercury levels were found in the kidneys, liver and brain and also in skeletal muscle and the gonads of the ferrets (Table 2). Methyl mercury constituted the major part of the tissue mercury in the ferrets (as well as in the chickens). The results provide direct evidence of the transfer and accumulation of alkyl mercury in a toxic form through a food chain. The ecological implications are discussed.