Abstract
There are relatively few studies concerning either the ultrastructural or biochemical effects of toxic elements on subcellular organelles. Ultrastructural studies which show cellular vesiculation, mitochondrial damage and cellular necrosis have been reported for lead and arsenate. Ultrastructural/biochemical data are available for the effects of methylmercury on fetal organisms. These studies show cellular vesiculation of hepatocytes, decreased synthesis of protein and DNA associated with inhibition of mitochondrial biogenesis and respiratory function. One, or a combination of these effects, appears to be responsible for the known reduction in fetal size at doses of methylmercury below which overt teratogenic or maternal toxicity are observed.
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© 1983 Plenum Press, New York
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Fowler, B.A. (1983). Ultrastructural and Biochemical Alterations of Cellular Organelles by Prenatal Exposure to Toxic Trace Metals. In: Clarkson, T.W., Nordberg, G.F., Sager, P.R. (eds) Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity of Metals. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-9346-1_19
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-9346-1_19
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4615-9348-5
Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-9346-1
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