Abstract
1. The pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of oxolinic acid and oxytetracycline were studied in rainbow trout at a water temperature of 16°C after intravascular (10 and 20 mg/kg, respectively) and oral (75 mg/kg) dosing. 2. The pharmacokinetics were best described by a two-compartment open model giving distribution half-lives of 0˙31 h and 1˙53 h, and elimination half-lives of 69˙7 h and 60˙3 h for oxolinic acid and oxytetracycline, respectively. The respective volumes of distribution (Vdarea) were 1˙94 1/kg and 1˙34 1/kg. 3. The apparent oral bioavailabiiity for oxolinic acid and oxytetracycline was 13˙6% and 5˙6%. 4. The plasma protein binding was 27% for oxolinic acid and 55% for oxytetracycline. 5. Both drugs were well tolerated, the acute oral toxicities (LD50) exceeding 4000 mg/kg.