Effect of citric acid and calcium on the bioavailability of orally-administered oxytetracycline in piglets

The bioavailability of orally given oxytetracycline in dependence on calcium (0.7% and 1.4% calcium, respectively) and citric acid content in feed was examined in piglets (9.9 +/- 0.9 kg body weight). In the first trial no citric acid was added to the two feeds, in the second trial 1.5% citric acid was added. In both trials each piglet received an i/v-injection of oxytetracycline (dosage 10 mg/kg body weight) and an oral dose of oxytetracycline (40 mg/kg body weight). The blood samples, taken in definite time intervals, were analysed by a microbiological assay. With these results the kinetic parameters and the bioavailability were calculated. The results of the i/v-trials were identical. The kinetic parameters C1 = 14.91 micrograms/ml, lambda 1 = 3.46 h-1, Cz = 7.49 micrograms/ml and lambda z = 0.19 h-1 describe the graph after i/v-application. The calcium content of the feed had no significant influence on the kinetic parameters after p/o-application, but the piglets receiving citric acid showed a significant higher maximum concentration (Cmax). The bioavailability of orally given oxytetracycline was significantly (26%) increased by the citric acid content. In spite of the citric acid the bioavailability only came to 4.9%.