The effect of ethylmercury-p-toluenesulphanilide on the neurosecretory hypothalamic-hypophyseal system.

Abstract

The effect of Ethylmercury-p-toluenesulphanilide on the neurosecretory function of the hypothalamic-hypophyseal system has been studied. The p-toluenesulphanilide of ethylmercury is a pesticide with fungicidal properties. The poison has been administered intragastrically for 10 days at a daily dose of 4 mg. The results of experiments presented herewith have shown that ingestion of EMTSA lead to an accumulation of neurosecretory material in the nerve cells of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei as well as in those of the neurohypophysis. In spite of the increased content of neurosecretory substances in the hypothalamic-hypophyseal system, the secretory cells of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei did not show any features of enhanced secretory activity. Basing on the observations made in this study an assumption was raised that the intragastric poisoning by EMTSA exerted an inhibitory effect on the release of ADH from the neurosecretory system. Intoxication by EMTSA induced only negligible degenerative changes in neurocytes of the hypothalamic nuclei.