Pharmacokinetic disposition in sheep of various vitamin E preparations given orally or intravenously

1. Increases in plasma tocopherol concentrations were compared in sheep after a single oral administration of (per kg body-weight): 67 mg D- and 91 mg DL-epimers of α-tocopherol, and 74 mg D- and 100 mg DL-epimers of α-tocopheryl acetate, or intravenous administration of DL-α-tocopherol and DL-epimers of DL-α-tocopheryl acetate. 2. The results showed that biological availability was higher after D-α-tocopherol dosing than after the other forms. Intravenous administration of D-α-tocopherol acetate was a more effective way of dosing in sheep than equivalent intravenous amounts of DL-α-tocopheryl acetate or DL-α-tocopherol.