Towards a model for the dynamic transfer of tritium and carbon in mammals.

Available data have been analysed to test the hypothesis that both 3H and 14C transfer in mammals can be accounted for by an understanding of metabolism. Data obtained from various 14C and 3H experiments with rats and sheep have been analysed to assess the multi-component retention function of various organs and identify any relationship between half-times and component contribution. Our hypothesis was that component half-times for 14C and 3H are similar after intakes of organic compounds. Similarities in the tritium and carbon dynamics between rat and sheep were observed supporting the hypothesis. For fast and slow components of muscle half-time, allometric relationships have been derived. The results obtained could be used in the development of a human biokinetic model.