Dose-dependent hypothermia and lithium toxicity in albino mice ( Mus musculus L.)

1. 1. Thermoregulation in adult male albino mice was studied following i.p. injection of lithium chloride in doses ranging from 20 to 800 mg/kg. 2. 2. The 24-h LD 50 was 600 mg/kg. 3. 3. Dose-dependent hypothermia was evident 1h after injection of 50–800 mg/kg. After 5h temperatures had returned to normal for all groups except those injected with 600 and 800 mg/kg. 4. 4. The lowest dose that produced a significant decrease in mean body temperature was 100 mg/kg. The maximum decrease in temperature without concomitant mortality (5°C) was produced by a dose of 400 mg/kg.