Resistance Effects of Metallothionein on Damage of Germ Cells Caused by Methymercury

Objective To study the resistance effects of metallothionein(ZnMT)on germ cell damage caused by methymercury(MeHg).Methods Mixed cultures of sertili and germ cells were used to observe the effects of ZnMT on the viability of germ cells of the mice treated by MeHg.Results The germ cells viability was decreased in 0.01mmol/L and 0.1mmol/L MeHg group.Concentration of 30μg/ml and 50μg/ml ZnMT could resist the decrease of viability of germ cells induced by 0.01mmol/L mercury treatment,but could not reduce the death rate of germ cells caused by 0.1mmol/L MeHg.Conclusion It indicated that ZnMT could resist the damage of germ cells to certain extent caused by mercury treatment.