Bromine residues in Merino sheep given brominated salicylanate anthelmintics

Abstract

Results of two chemical residues studies are reported. A brominated anilide preparation containing a mixture of 3, 41, 5-tribromo (80 per cent) and 4l, 5 dibrom~ salicylanide (16 per cent) with traces of 3, 5 dibromosalicylanilide (4 per cent) was orally administered in recommended commercial doses to adult Merino wether sheep. Bromine was used as an indicator of eliminated brominated anilides from the body. The first study with six sheep indicated significant amounts of brominated compounds are absorbed and that elimination of these compounds from the body, although substantial, was not complete by day ten after dosing at recommended levels. A further study involving 98 adult Merino wethers showed that by day 15 and day 30 after drenching with the brominated anilide preparation less than 1pg of administered bromine was retained per gram of edible tissue, indicating negligible residues if treated animals were then eaten by man.