Effects of the bipyridilium herbicides, diquat and paraquat, on in vivo hexose absorption and fluid transfer in adult mice.

1. The effects of single LD50 oral or subcutaneous doses of diquat and paraquat at different time-intervals on in vivo intestinal absorption of glucose and galactose and concomitant mucosal fluid transfer were investigated. 2. Generally, both herbicides retarded the absorption of either monosaccharide, although the effects of the treatments at different time-intervals were sometimes inconclusive. 3. The mucosal fluid transfer was unaffected, as was the fresh or dry intestinal weights or the intestinal length.