Pharmacology and toxicology of carbon tetrachloride in the sheep. I. Blood levels following ruminal, abomasal, and intramuscular administration

Abstract

Studies are reported on the blood levels of carbon tetrachloride following administration of 8 ml of the drug to sheep by ruminal, abomasal, and intramuscular routes. Absorption was most rapid with ruminal administration, slowest with intramuscular, and intermediate with abomasal administration. The drug could be detected in expired air within 5 min of administration. Peak levels in the blood of c. 16 to 20 pg per ml were reached, with ruminal and abomasal administration, at c. 15-30 min and 60-120 min respectively. With intramuscular administration the peak of c. 10 ¦g/ml was reached at about 4 hr. Undetectable levels, less than 5 pg/ml, were reached at c. P 5 hr with ruminal administration, 6-7 hr with abomasal administration, and c. 10 hr with intramuscular injection. Carbon tetrachloride could be detected in the expired air up to 40-60 hr after administration, depending on the route. The blood curves were not appreciably different whether the drug was administered in the pure state or in paraffin oil. Fasting for 48 hr also had no appreciable effect. Fat sheep showed lower levels and a longer period of excretion than animals in poorer condition, presumably owing to partitioning into adipose tissues.