[Bioavailability and elimination of various digoxin preparations in the beagle dog and their possible sex dependence (author's transl)].

The glycoside serum levels were investigated in two healthy male and two healthy female Beagles after oral administration of four different galenic preparations of digoxin. Serum samples were taken at defined intervals and examined by radioimmunology for their glycoside content. Female Beagles eliminated orally administered digoxin considerably more rapidly than did male animals as observed by the disappearance rates of glycoside from the serum. Sex-linked differences in the bioavailability of different galenic preparations of digoxin were not confirmed statistically in this trial. No differences between sexes regarding maximum serum levels were detectable with similar preparations. These results suggest that the serum elimination rate of digoxin is different in male and female Beagles. Possible causes for these findings are discussed.