Neurotoxicty of Mercury Chloride Administration on the Cerebellar Cortex of Adult Wistar Rats

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of mercury II chloride on the cerebellar cortex of adult Wistar rats, average weight of 220g were divided into groups of 5 rats per group. Group 1- served as control group and was administered distilled water orally for two weeks. Groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 were administered orally with 6.5mg, 13mg, 26mg and 52mg per kg Body weight of mercury II chloride respectively for two weeks. All the groups were given standard feed and water ad libitum and were housed in plastic cages. After oral administration, the animals were sacrificed and the cerebellum was fixed in Bouin's fluid and the tissue was processed histologically and stained with H & E stains. Photomicrographs were taken and the slides were examined under the low power microscope. The result shows that there was decrease in physical activities in the treated groups and degeneration of the cells of the molecular and purkinje layers of the cerebellum. Our study showed that mercury II chloride could cause cerebellar neuronal degeneration.