The Absorption and Excretion of Orally Administered Nicarbazin by Chickens

Abstract

Cuckler, Malanga, Basso and O'Neill (1955) and Cuckler, Malanga and Ott (1955) have described the chemical properties and anticoccidial activity of nicarbazin, an equimolar complex of 4,4'-dinitrocarbanilide (DNC) and 2- hydroxy-4,6-dimethylpyrimidine (HDP). During laboratory tests and field trials we have had the opportunity to examine blood and tissues from treated chickens, with the objective of obtaining information on the absorption and excretion of this drug. It was found that HDP possesses the unique property of facilitating the ab- sorption of DNC from the gut, but only when administered in combination with DNC as the moiety, nicarbazin.