Abstract

The metabolism and disposition of [6,7-3H]estradiol ([3H]E2) given by gavage (po) or intravenously (iv) were examined in female B6C3F1 mice fed either the purified AIN-76A (AIN) or cereal-based NIH-07 (NIH) diet for a period of 8 weeks prior to treatment with E2. Initially, 40.6 Ci of [3H]E2 was given iv to each mouse. Subsequently, 45.6 Ci of [3H]E2 was given po to the same mice. Samples of blood, urine, and feces were obtained during a 48-hr period after each dosing. Total radioactivity was determined for each sample. Urine and plasma samples were analyzed by HPLC, and the radiolabeled metabolites were tentatively identified and quantified. Statistical comparisons were made of the effects of diet, route of administration, and interactions among groups. Analysis revealed: 1) greater fecal than urinary excretion of radioactivity regardless of route of administration or diet fed, 2) more radioactivity excreted in the urine of AIN-fed than in NIH-fed mice, significantly different only after iv administration (p less than 0.02), and 3) a greater feces:urine ratio of excreted radioactivity following iv than po administration and from NIH-than AIN-fed mice. Metabolite profiles showed: 1) no differences in urine due to route of administration, 2) estriol conjugates dominated urinary metabolites, 3) accumulation of radioactive material in plasma that apparently was tritiated water, with more rapid accumulation of tritiated water after po than iv administration, 4) relatively more plasma estradiol-17-glucuronide, estriol-3-sulfate, and estriol in po- than in iv-treated mice, 5) estradiol-3, 17-sulfate in plasma of iv- but not po-treated mice.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)