[LD 50 and selenium concentration in organs following intravenous administration of sodium selenite in the rabbit]

In experiments on 72 rabbits, the LD50 of sodium selenite by intravenous injection was found to be 2.24 mg/kg body weight. The clinical picture and pathological changes associated with acute selenium poisoning are described. The increase in selenium concentration was up to nine times the normal in liver and up to six times in kidney and muscle. There was no sign of a return to normal values 24 hours after administration.