Chlorpyrifos pharmacokinetics and metabolism following intravascular and dietary administration in channel catfish.

The pharmacokinetics and metabolism of a model organophosphorothioate, chlorpyrifos, was investigated in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Chlorpyrifos exhibited multicompartmental disposition after oral and intravascular administration, indicating slower distribution to peripheral storage tissues. The oral bioavailability of chlorpyrifos was 41%, substantially higher than in mammals. Muscle contained less than 5% of the oral dose, with an elimination half-life of about 3.3 days. Residues in the whole fish were greater than 95% chlorpyrifos, while excreta (bile and urine) primarily contained metabolites. The dephosphorylated metabolite, trichloropyridinol (TCP), was the major metabolite in the blood, while the glucuronide conjugate of TCP was the major metabolite in urine and bile. The toxic metabolite, chlorpyrifos oxon, was not detected in any samples of blood, tissues, or excreta. The metabolism of chlorpyrifos in catfish appeared similar to other species of fish and mammals. Extensive metabolism resulted in a low potential for chlorpyrifos to accumulate in catfish from dietary exposure.