Effect of methylmercury on humoral immune responses in mice under conditions simulated to practical situations.

A suppression and delay in reaching the peak of primary humoral response in mice was noted when relatively large dosage of methylmercury was administered in a short time period, suggesting the interference with the initial multiplications of antibody producing cells. On the other hand, subchronic administration of low levels of methylmercury in diet (0.5 and 5ppm) caused no definite suppression on either primary or secondary responses, though they tended to be depressed.