Pharmacokinetics of cadmium in ewes: a preliminary study.

A pharmacokinetic analysis of cadmium was carried out by administering cadmium chloride i.v. to 3 ewes. Each received 0.033, 0.1 and 0.33 mg cadmium/kg body weight, with each administration separated by 21 d. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using a 3-compartment open model (multiple dosage analysis). The half life of elimination reached 40 to 50 d, the body clearance was 0.3 to 0.4 L/kg/d, and the steady-state volume of distribution was 6 to 28 L/kg. The invariability of the values of the elimination parameters and the good fitting of the mathematical model to the experimental values are in agreement with linear kinetics for cadmium in the ewe.