The Elimination and Distribution of Selenium in the Tissues in Experimental Selenium Poisoning

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Abstract
The elimination and distribution of selenium in sheep receiving graded doses of selenium for 44 and 116 days was studied. Sheep fed with selenium until death eliminated smaller quantities of selenium in the urine toward the end, due to kidney injury, and stored larger amounts in all the tissues. Selenium was excreted in the urine gradually after selenium administration was discontinued. In 50 days the urine showed only traces or was free of selenium. The storage of selenium in the different organs depended upon the amount of selenium administered to the animals. In all groups the liver and the kidney contained the largest amount and the brain and muscle the smallest amount of selenium. Other organs showed variations as to the quantity of selenium accumulated. The fat was free of selenium regardless of the selenium intake. A small amount of selenium was present in all the tissues 61 and 64 days after selenium administration was discontinued. According to our present knowledge this amount was considered insufficient to cause harmful effects.