The Administration of Flumethasone, by Three Different Routes, its Measurement in the Plasma and Some Effects on Wool Growth in Merino Wethers

Abstract

Flumethasone was given to Merino wethers weighing 30-50 kg at rates of 0·62-1· 35 mg/kgO'7 5 by intravenous (experiments 1 and 2), intraruminal (experiment 4) and subcutaneous (experiment 5) routes over 8 days. In experiment 3, 1· 2 mgflumethasone/kg'"?" was given intravenously over 4, 5 or 6 days. The plasma concentration profiles showed concentrations in the order: intravenous > subcutaneous > intraruminal. Plasma concentration patterns usually were highest during the first 48 h of infusion followed by relatively stable values. This last feature was not evident in experiments when the rate of hormone infusion was increased. Estimates of the metabolic clearance rates for flumethasone in experiments 1, 2 and 5 were 200-700 ml/min during the' equilibrium concentration periods.