Distribution and Elimination of 2–MethyI–4–Chlorophenoxyacetic Acid (MCPA) in Male Rats

The distribution and elimination of 2–methyl–4–chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) in male rats were studied. 3 mg of 14C–labelled and non–labelled MCPA in 50 % ethanol was injected into the stomach of male rats and urine, faeces and internal organs or tissues were analyzed for radioactivity. During the first 24 hrs 92.26 ± 5.36 % of the radioactivity was excreted in the urine and 6.76 ± 3.56 % in the faeces. Recovery in the urine and faeces after five days was 102.78 ± 1.10 % of the dose administered, indicating that practically all MCPA is eliminated in the urine and faeces. The maximum concentrations of MCPA in the tissues occurred between 2 to 8 hrs after administration. Thereafter the concentrations declined rapidly. The highest concentrations of MCPA were observed in the blood, kidney, lung, heart, suprarenal gland, liver, thyroid gland and bone marrow. The lowest concentrations were those in the brain, adipose tissue, testis and muscle.