METABOLISM OF ORALLY-ADMINISTERED INORGANIC ARSENIC IN THE DOG

Oral doses of carrier-free 74As, a suspected carcinogen, (.simeq. 0.50 mCi/dog; 0.2-0.6 .mu.g As/dog) as arsenic acid were administered to 2 male and 2 female dogs. Blood and urine samples, obtained at 40 min intervals for up to 6.5 h after dosing were analyzed for As metabolites. Dimethylarsinic acid (DMAA), the major metabolite, was detected in the plasma and red blood cells within 50 min after dosing. After 6 h, > 90% of the As in the plasma, red blood cells and urine was present as DMAA.