Metabolism and distribution of [2,3-(14)C]acrolein in laying hens.

The metabolism and distribution of [2,3-(14)C]-acrolein were studied in 10 laying hens orally administered 1.09 mg/kg of body weight/day for 5 days. Eggs, excreta, and expired air were collected. The hens were killed 12-14 h after the last dose and edible tissues collected. The nature of radioactive residues was determined in tissues and eggs. All of the identified metabolites were the result of the incorporation of acrolein-derived radioactivity into normal natural products of intermediary metabolism in the hen except for 1,3-propanediol, which is a known degradation product of glycerol in bacteria.