水銀化合物の環境衛生学的研究(第5報)ヒト胎盤における無機水銀化合物の蓄積部位について

In order to study the accumulation site of inorgnic mercury compounds in human placenta, histochemical stain of mercury and its contents in human placenta were examined, and the following results were obtained. 1) Human placenta was divided into three parts (A : maternal side, B : central part, C : amnion side) and total mercury and methylmercury contents in each part were determined. Total mercury concentration of part B was higher than that in part A or C, but there was little difference in their levels for methylmercury. Inorganic mercury concentration of part B was the highest among them, Part B corresponds to villi in human placenta. 2) Mercury compounds in preparation of human placenta for histochemical test were stained with diphenylthiocarbazide. Mercury compounds (mainly inorganic mercury) were detected in the placental villi. Therefore, it was suggested that inorganic mercury taken from maternal blood into placenta accumulated in the placental villi and intercepted the transfer to fetus.