The efficacy of mineral oil combined with feed restriction in enhancing the elimination of heptachlor epoxide from mink (Mustela vison).

Adult female mink previously fed diets containing 0 (control) and 6.25 mg heptachlor/kg diet for 181 days were fed either the same control diet ad libitum (AL) or the control diet containing 10% mineral oil and restricted by 45% of ad libitum intake (MO/R) for 21 days to determine the efficacy of the latter treatment in enhancing the elimination of heptachlor epoxide (HE) from mink. Kit mink (2-3 months of age) whelped by dams of the control and 6.25 mg/kg groups were also fed the MO/R or AL diets for 21 days. Daily consumption (g/kg bw/day) of the AL diet by kit mink was significantly greater than consumption of the same diet by the adult females. Body weights of the control adults and the control and 6.25 mg/kg kits were significantly reduced by feeding the MO/R diet. Two adults from the control group and one adult from the 6.25 mg/kg group fed the MO/R diet died during the 21-day period. No mortalities occurred in kit mink fed either diet. Administration of the MO/R diet caused a significant reduction in body fat of the control adults and kits, but not in the 6.25 mg/kg adults and kits. Decreases in body fat of the MO/R groups were not associated with greater elimination of HE when compared to the AL groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)