Toxicological, clinic-pathological and ultrastructural aspects of iatrogenic and experimental subcutaneous poisoning in rabbits by vitamin D are described. Clinically the animals showed signs of cardiovascular insufficiency, as ascite and lung edema, hyporexia, anorexia, mucous diarrhoea, loss of weight and apathy. The classical alterations of minera-lization and, occasionally, ossification of the cardiovascular system, as well the lesions of kidneys, lungs, stomach, among other organs, were reproduced by the subcutaneous administration of an oily solution of cholecalciferol (non-activated vitamin D3).
Cholecalciferol; hypervitaminosis D; pathology; rabbits
