Effects of Dehydration and Environmental Temperature on Antimony Toxicity

Abstract

Rats and mice were dehydrated by deprivation of water for 48 hours, or by replacement of drinking water with 2% saline for two weeks, preceding intravenous injection of antimony. In dehydrated animals deaths occurred more rapidly and the mortality was significantly greater than in the nondehydrated animals. Both dehydration and antimony produced a fall in heart rate until an hour before death when the rate increased sharply. Blood transfusion preceding the antimony injection did not counteract the effects of dehydration. Exposure of rats and mice to high environmental temperature, 94 F, for 48 hours preceding and one week following antimony injection significantly increased their susceptibility to antimony toxicity.