After oral (PO) and intravenous (IV) administration of zearalenone (ZEN) to broiler chickens, laying hens, and turkey poults, the mycotoxin was rapidly absorbed (Tmax = 0.32-0.97 h) in all three species; however, the absolute oral bioavailability was low (F% = 6.87-10.28%). Next, also a rapid elimination of the mycotoxin in all poultry species was observed (T(1/2el) = 0.29-0.46 h). Both α- and β-zearalenone (ZEL) were formed equally after IV administration in all species studied, whereas an increased biotransformation to β-ZEL was demonstrated after PO administration, indicating presystemic biotransformation mainly in broiler chickens and laying hens. In comparison to the latter, turkey poults demonstrated a more extensive biotransformation of ZEN to α-ZEL after PO administration which could, in combination with the observed higher volume of distribution of ZEN, indicate a higher sensitivity of this species to the effects of ZEN in comparison to other poultry species.
Keywords: biotransformation; broiler chicken; laying hen; poultry; toxicokinetics; turkey; zearalenone.