Fate and tissue depletion of nivalenol in ducks

Nivalenol (NIV), a mycotoxin belonging to the trichothecenes type B group, has recently been identified as causing one of the more potent toxicities among mycotoxins of this group. The purpose of this study was to clarify the toxicokinetics, and residues of NIV in ducks. Then, NIV was administered intravenously (iv) or orally (po) to ducks at a dosage of 0.8 mg/kg body weight. The concentrations of NIV in plasma and various tissues were quantified using liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry. The plasma concentrations of NIV were measurable up to 12 h after iv and po administrations, respectively. A non-compartmental model was used to describe the toxicokinetics of NIV in ducks. The values of elimination half-life and volume of distribution were 2.24 ± 0.34 h and 1081.87 ± 306.56 ml/kg, respectively, after iv administration. The absolute oral bioavailability was 8.91 ± 1.69%. NIV was measurable in the vital organs after po administration. These results suggest that NIV is not favorably absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, but it has the ability to penetrate into the various tissues of ducks.