Abstract
To investigate the effects of mercuric chloride $(HgCl_2)$ on the differentiation of the cerebral neuron of chick embryo 10 days, the ultrastructural changes in nerve cells injected with a various doses of mercuric chloride were observed with transmission electron microscope. The enzyme activity of the some dehydrogenases, cerebral proteins and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were also analyzed. The results obtained are as follows; The ultrastructural changes in 1.0 mg-injected group, the nuclear membranes were irregular, outer of mitochondria membrances dispressioned, their cristae were destroyed. In 2.0 mg-injected group, the nuclear envelops were destroyed and divided, were not observed organelle except of few ribosome, the RER and mitochondria. The number of polypeptide bands were separated by SDS-PAGE in the normal group were 38 bands. According to the in creased dose of mercuric chloride, contends of the bands were increased in 4 bands, but were decreased in 1 band. The activities of dehydrogenases were declined by increasing the dose of mercuric chloride. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity fatted to 61% in 2.0 mg-injected group. Malate dehydrogenase (MDH) activity fatted to 90% in 1.0 mg-injected group, greatly to 76% in 2.0 mg-injected group. Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity decreased to 79% in 1.0 mg-injected group and greatly to 62% in 2.0 mg-injected group. ATP content in 1.0 mg-injected group was almost near to the normal level, but it was increased greatly in 2.0 mg-injected group.