Fate and developmental effects of dietary uptake of methylmercury in Silurana tropicalis tadpoles.

Adverse effects of methylmercury (MeHg) exposure during amphibian metamorphosis remain to be fully characterized. Most previous investigations determined effects of short-term exposure to elevated dose rates, without information on mercury (Hg) depuration and degradation pathways. Since metamorphosis is primarily controlled by thyroid hormones (TH), alterations in this process suggest a disruption of the TH endocrine axis.