Toxic effect of various selenium compounds on the rat in the early postnatal period.

The toxic effect of selenium compounds (sodium selenate, D,L-selenomethionine, D,L-selenocystine, dimethyl selenide, and trimethylselenonium ion) was tested in 10-day old male rats. Increasing doses of the compounds were administered an s.c. injection and control animals were not injected. All compounds tested were lethal. Eye lens cataract was induced by the administration of selenate, D,L-selenomethionine, and D,L-selenocystine, while dimethyl selenide and trimethylselenonium ion failed to cause cataract. The cataractogenic effect of the above compounds may be attributed to their interference with glutathione metabolism.