Tissue distribution of deoxynivalenol in swine dosed intravenously

Following a single iv administration (1 mg/kg) of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) to swine, tissue concentrations were monitored during the 24-h period postdosing. DON was detected in all tissues examined at the first sampling time (0.33 h); maximum concentrations were measured at 0.33-1.0 h, except with plasma, liver, and probably lung, which had evidently peaked earlier. The highest levels were detected in plasma, kidney, and liver (1-2, microgram/g of wet tissue weight), followed by fat, lymph, lung, and adrenals (200-500 ng/g). Other tissues measured bad substantially lower concentrations (20-165 ng/g; spleen, testes, brain, heart, muscle, skin, intestine, pancreas). The study showed a rapid distribution of DON to tissues and body fluids, with subsequent decline to trace or negligible levels by 24 h, except urine and bile, where elevated DON concentrations were observed throughout the study. The overall distribution profile indicates no extensive uptake or retention by any tissues occurred, suggesting that accumulation of residues in swine would not happen upon prolonged consumption of DON-contaminated feed at low levels