Influence of hard water on the bioavailability of enrofloxacin in broilers

To define the impact that use of different levels of hard water has on the bioavailability of the antibacterial, enrofloxacin, in poultry, an oral bioavailability-pharmacokinetic study of the drug was carried out. Two hundred fifty clinically healthy broilers, divided into 5 groups, were individually dosed orally with 10 mg/kg of enrofloxacin diluted to 0.1%. The enrofloxacin was diluted with water of increasing hardness in accordance with an international grading system. After dosing, blood samples were obtained at predetermined times. Serum was recovered and quantified for enrofloxacin by means of an agar diffusion bacteriological method. The composite serum concentrations of enrofloxacin and metabolites vs. time relationships were analyzed using software for compartmental pharmacokinetics. Results show that there were statistically significant differences in the following pharmacokinetic variables: maximal serum concentrations (Csmax), area under the time vs. concentration curves, and half-lives of the elimination phases. The means of these values showed a linear decay of Csmax from one group to the next as water hardness increased. Chemical analysis of water calcium and magnesium ions revealed the formation of coordination groups. Lack of interference with the microbiological activity in vitro of enrofloxacin diluted in hard water indicated that diminished absorption may be partly responsible for reduction in bioavailability. These results stress the need for proper water supply when enrofloxacin is used and point out a factor that must be taken into account when clinical outcomes do not comply with expectations.