Adrenal function in chickens experiencing mercury toxicity.

Dietary mercury when administered to young chickens via the drinking water depressed growth, increased the rate of mortality and inhibited the normal maturation of the adrenal glands. Additionally, deficiencies of cholesterol and corticosterone were demonstrated in the adrenals. The exogenous administration of 0.5 or 1.5 mg. of corticosterone/100 gm. of body weight alleviated, in part, the toxic effects of mercury as evidenced by a rapid increase in body weight.