Distribution of nickel in body fluids and organs of rats chronically exposed to nickel sulphate.

1. Male and female rats were given 100 mg Ni L-1 (as nickel sulphate) in drinking water for 6 months. 2. The feeding of nickel was associated with an increased concentration of nickel in body fluids and organs. The highest concentrations of nickel were found in the liver of both male and female rats. In male rats nickel levels decreased in the order: liver > kidney = whole blood = serum > testes > urine. In female rats the decreasing order was similar: liver > kidney = whole blood = serum = plasma > urine > ovaries. 3. No significant differences were found between nickel concentrations in organs (except ovaries), blood and urine of rats exposed for 3 months and those exposed for 6 months indicating the reaching of a steady state of nickel in the rat during long-term exposure. 4. The urinary excretion of the orally administered nickel was only 2% of absorbed dose (supposing 1% Ni absorption).