RESUMO
1. Disposition kinetics of doxycycline (doxy) was studied in healthy chickens and chickens experimentally intoxicated with aflatoxin B1 by intravenous, oral or intramuscular (i.m.) injection, in a single dose of 15 mg/kg body weight. In addition, the tissue distribution and residual pattern of the drug were determined in healthy and intoxicated chickens. 2. The maximum serum concentrations of doxy were reached 1.97 and 2.37 h after oral, and 1.57 and 2.92 h after i.m. dosage in healthy and aflatoxic birds, respectively. 3. The volumes of distribution and total body clearances were higher in aflatoxic birds (1.75 l/kg and 14.61 ml/kg/min) than in healthy chickens (0.93 l/kg and 4.6 ml/kg/min). Data relating to intravenous injection were analysed using a two-compartment open model curve fit. 4. Lower values of systemic bioavailability were observed in intoxicated birds (30.9 and 33.9%) than healthy ones (43.7 and 57.3%) after oral and i.m. administration, respectively. 5. The highest concentration of doxy residues were present in liver, kidney and serum followed by heart and muscles. Doxy residue concentrations in edible tissues was below the EEC limit 6 d after cessation of oral or i.m. medication with 15 mg/kg body weight twice daily for 5 successive days.
