Transient hypothermia and hyperphagia induced by selenium and tellurium compounds in mice.

The effects of sublethal doses of selenite, selenate, selenocystine (Se-Cys) and selenomethionine (Se-Met) as well as of tellurite on body temperature and feeding behavior were examined in male ICR mice. Ten or 30 mumol/kg of chemicals were injected subcutaneously and body temperature was measured up to 4 h. In a separate experiment, the gastric content was weighted 4 h after injection. All chemicals except Se-Met induced both hypothermia and hyperphagia, suggesting that: (a) these two effects are related to each other; (b) among the chemicals tested, Se-Cys appears to be the most potent hypothermia inducer; (c) Se-Met is unique in that it has neither effect.