FATE OF DIPROPYL SULFONE IN RAT

1. Dipropyl [S-35]-sulphone was administered by gal age (4.24 mmol/4ml /kg body weight) to the adult male Wistar rat following an overnight f ast. 2. Urine was the major route of excretion (83%) with more radioac tivity appearing during the second day (47%) than the first (28%). Onl y small amounts were found in the faeces (10%). Biliary excretion play ed an important role with substantial amounts of the dose (33%) passin g through the bile duct during 0-48 h. A near total recovery was achie ved suggesting that only small amounts (2%) may have been lost as vola tile components. 3. Metabolism was limited, the majority (greater than or equal to 98%) of the sulphone being recovered unchanged. Oxidation of the sulphur with the formation of inorganic sulphate was the only pathway observed.