A sulfadimidine model to evaluate pharmacokinetics and residues at various concentrations in laying hen

Low level intake of drugs from the ingestion of contaminated feed may lead to residue problems in food animals. Sulfadimidine (SDD) was used as a model to determine the residue risk at various doses in laying hens. The drug was administered as a single intravenous injection (100 mg kg^-1 body weight, BW), as a single oral dose (100, 30, 10, 3, 1 mg kg^-1 BW) and via medicated feed for 7 consecutive days (30, 10, 3 mg kg^-1 BW). Drug levels were determined with HPLC-UV for plasma, yolk and albumen. Pharmacokinetic values, which were calculated using a first-order one-compartment model, residue levels and transfer rates into the eggs were found to be dose-dependent. Even low doses of 3 and 1 mg kg^-1 BW resulted in measurable residues in yolk and albumen 1 day after a single oral administration. After ingestion of medicated feed at 3 mg kg^-1 BW, mean drug levels at 0.14 ± 0.01 µg g^-1 were found in albumen and at 0.09 ± 0.01 µg ml^-1 in plasma. Generally, the residue levels in albumen and plasma were higher than in yolk. These findings demonstrate a residue risk for the consumer even after low level intake of drugs.