Neomycin metabolism in calves

Disposition of oral neomycin in calves was determined using 14C-labeled neomycin. The influences of age, diet, and method of administration were observed. All calves were killed 96 h after a single oral dose of [14C]neomycin (approximately 30 mg/kg) and the distribution of 14C in excreta and tissues was determined. As indicated by urinary excretion, absorption of neomycin was greater in 3-d-old calves (11.1 +/- 1.8% of the dose) than in 54- to 64-d-old nonruminating calves (1.5 +/- .58% of the dose) dosed similarly. Absorption of neomycin was similar in nonruminating (1.5 +/- .58%) and ruminating (2.13 +/- .62%) calves when the doses were administered in solution via a nippled bottle. In ruminating calves, absorption was somewhat less when the dose was administered on feed via a gelatin capsule (.5 +/- .06% of the dose) than when given in solution via a nippled bottle (2.13 +/- .62% of the dose). In calves dosed at 3 d of age, 14C concentration in the kidneys represented 55 +/- 4.9 ppm of neomycin equivalents. The next highest concentration occurred in the livers, which contained less than 5% of the level in kidneys. Tissue concentrations of 14C were related to absorption (as indicated by urinary excretion). Isolation and characterization (positive-ion fast atom bombardment mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy) of 14C compounds in kidneys of calves dosed at 3 d of age indicated that at least 90% of the 14C was present as neomycin. Neomycin was also the major 14C compound in feces of all calves (70 to 80% of the 14C present). Results suggest that use of neomycin in veal production at recommended levels would cause kidney residues of neomycin above the .250 ppm tolerance currently observed in the United States.