Transfer of methylmercury to hen's eggs after oral administration

Hens were administered oral doses of methylmercury to determine the potential for compound transfer to eggs. Mercury was readily detected in the eggs 2 d after the hens were dosed with methylmercuric chloride. The greatest increase in methylmercury content in eggs was noted for the hen group receiving a single 500 mu g/kg body weight dose. The highest concentration was recorded on the third and sixth days for the group fed 100 mu g methylmercuric chloride/kg body weight for 5 d. About 46-54% of administered methylmercury was deposited in eggs for the first group and about 3-54% for the second group.