IMMUNOENZYMATIC DETERMINATION OF ATRAZINE IN RAT-TISSUE SAMPLES

In the present study our objective was to adapt a competitive enzyme i mmunoassay (EIA) for the determination of atrazine in animal tissues ( liver and kidney). Female Wistar rats were administered through gavage with a single dose of atrazine (500 or 1000 mg/kg body weight) and sa crificed 24, 48 h and 7 days following the exposure. Using liver tissu e samples the extraction procedure was improved. The atrazine concentr ations measured in the liver were higher than those found in the kidne y, but both can be ranked as low compared with the amount of the admin istered doses. These data confirm that tissue retention is minimal. Fu rther studies are necessary in order to make an overall evaluation con cerning the amount of atrazine retained in the organism. We consider t hat the competitive EIA may be a promising technique for epidemiologic al screening of pesticides. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.