The role of V as a micronutrient, and its hypoglycaemic and toxicological activity, have yet to be completely established. The present study focuses on changes in the bioavailability and tissue distribution of Se in diabetic streptozotocin rats following treatment with V. The following four study groups were examined: control; diabetic (DM); diabetic treated with 1 mg V/d (DMV); diabetic treated with 3 mg V/d (DMVH). V was supplied in the drinking water as bis(maltolato)oxovanadium (IV). The experiment had a duration of 5 weeks. Se was measured in food, faeces, urine, serum, muscle, kidney, liver and spleen. Glucose and insulin serum were studied, together with glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione transferase (GST) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the liver. In the DM group, we recorded higher levels of food intake, Se absorbed, Se retained, Se content in the kidney, liver and spleen, GSH-Px and GST activity, in comparison with the control rats. In the DMV group, there was a significant decrease in food intake, Se absorbed, Se retained and Se content in the liver and spleen, and in GSH-Px and GST activity, while fasting glycaemia and MDA remained unchanged, in comparison with the DM group. In the DMVH group, there was a significant decrease in food intake, glycaemia, Se absorbed, Se retained, Se content in the kidney, liver and spleen, and in GSH-Px and GST activity, and increased MDA, in comparison with the DM and DMV groups. We conclude that under the experimental conditions described, the treatment with 3 mg V/d caused a tissue depletion of Se that compromised Se nutritional status and antioxidant defences in the tissues.