Renal Uptake, Excretion, and Retention of Mercury

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Abstract
The renal uptake and urinary excretion of Hg as well as the glomerular filtration rate were measured in anesthetized and unanesthetized rabbits (3-4 kg) given isotopic (Hg203 Cl2) by continuous intravenous infusion for periods up to 4 hours, in doses totaling about 0.1-1 mg Hg. The renal extraction did not exceed 10% of the amount of Hg in blood passing the kidneys. About 50% of the total dose infused was taken up by the kvineys, but less than 10% was excreted in the urine. Ligation of the ureter did not affect the renal uptake of Hg, which was assumed to indicate that uptake occurred directly from the blood. Urinary excretion of Hg and blood concentration were found to be correlated. There was no correlation between the amount of Hg accumulated in the kidney and the urinary excretion of Hg. Less than 1% of the plasma Hg was passed on ultra-filtration. About 50% of the Hg in the blood was found in the corpuscles, and the turnover rate between plasma and cells was quite slow.