Acute toxicity of vanadium compounds in rats and mice.

Sodium metavanadate (NaVO3) and vanadyl sulphate pentahydrate (VOSO4 X 5H2O) were administered to rats and mice. The following LD50 (14-day) were determined: NaVO3, 98.0 mg/kg (rats) and 74.6 mg/kg (mice) when given orally, and 18.4 mg/kg (rats) and 35.9 mg/kg (mice) when given i.p.; VOSO4 X 5H2O, 448.0 mg/kg (rats) and 467.2 mg/kg (mice) when given orally, and 74.1 mg/kg (rats) and 113.0 mg/kg (mice) when given i.p. The majority of deaths occurred during the first 24 h. The clinical and physical signs appearing after the intoxication include irregular respiration, diarrhea, ataxia and paralysis of the hind legs. These signs disappeared for the most part after 48 h, which suggests a quick elimination of vanadium.