ACUTE TOXICITY OF SODIUM SELENITE IN RODENTS: PATHOMORPHOLOGICAL STUDY

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute toxicity of sodium selenite in mice and rats after per os application to establish the relationship between a high toxic dose of sodium selenite and tissue alterations in rats. Increasing doses of sodium selenite (4, 10, 14 and 18 mg/kg) were administered in separate groups of mice and rats. Obtained LD50 values of sodium selenite in mice and rats were in the range of 8.08 to 12.11 mg/kg po. In separate groups of rats of both genders, sodium selenite in a dose of 10 mg/kg po was applied. Survived animals were sacrificed after the end of day 7 and an increase of fluids in thoracal and abdominal cavities was recorded. Tissue samples of the heart, liver, spleen and kidney were prepared using haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Histopathological examination revealed the signs of inflammation, haemorrhages, degeneration and rapid loss of normal cell architecture in the heart, liver, spleen and kidney of sodium selenite treated animals. These and other available data suggest the possibility of using environmentally friendly selenite rodenticide. These compounds which possess a different mechanism of action when compared to anticoagulants and an acceptable toxic potential, could improve rodent pest management programs, especially regarding anticoagulant-resistant rodents.