RENAL RETENTION OF SELENIUM AFTER ADMINISTRATION OF TRIMETHYLSELENIDE

Renal retention of selenium after administration of trimethylselenoniu m iodide (TMSeI) was studied in vivo in male and female rats during se xual maturation. The selenium level in the kidneys was found to be sig nificantly higher in male rats than in females during the first hour a fter intravenous (i. v.) administration of TMSeI. The sex-linked diffe rence, manifested already in 2 1 -day old animals, increased markedly during the following four weeks of postnatal life. It was shown that t his process may be accelerated by previously increased selenium intake . The sex-linked difference in renal retention of selenium was observe d after administration of TMSeI in a wide range of doses: 0.002-1 0.0 mumol per animal. The size of the applied dose did not affect signific antly the kinetic patterns of selenium in the kidneys during the first hour after i.v. injection. The results suggest the existence of a sex -dependent mechanism in the kidneys which may control the rate of excr etion of trimethylselenonium ions in urine both under conditions of no rmal selenium intake and selenium intoxication.