Pharmacokinetic profile and tissue distribution of monensin in broiler chickens

1. The pharmacokinetics of monensin, including half‐life, apparent volume of distribution, total body clearance, systemic bio‐availability and tissue residues were determined in broiler chickens. The drug was given by intracrop and intravenous routes in a single dose of 40 mg/kg body weight.

2. Following intravenous injection the kinetic disposition of monensin followed a two compartments open model with absorption half life of 0.59 h, volume of distribution of 4.11 I/kg and total body clearance of 28.36 ml/kg/min. The highest serum concentrations of monensin were reached 0.5 h after intracrop dosage with an absorption half‐life of 0.27 h and an elimination half life of 2.11 h. The systemic bioavailability was 65.1% after intracorp administration. Serum protein‐binding tendency of monensin calculated in vitro was 22.8%.

3. Monensin concentrations in the serum and tissues of chickens after a single intracrop dose of pure monensin (40 mg/kg body weight) were higher than those after feeding a supplemented monensin pre‐mix (120 mg/kg) for 2 weeks. Monensin residues were detected in tested body tissues, collected 2, 4, 6 and 8 h after oral administration. The highest conentration was found in the liver. In addition, monensin residues were detected only in liver, kidney and fat 24 h after the last oral dose. No monensin residues could be detected in tissues after 48 h, except in liver which cleared completely by 72 h.