Evaluating sulfoxaflor residues in pig tissues using animal modeling

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Toxicology
• Animal Science

Background:

• Maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides in animal feed are crucial for public health and safe livestock products.
• In vivo experiments with livestock are traditionally used for reliable pesticide residue quantification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess if small laboratory animals can replace or reduce the use of monogastric livestock in pesticide residue quantification experiments.
• To evaluate the efficacy of using rats as a model for predicting pesticide residues in pigs.

Main Methods:

• Pigs and rats were fed varying doses of sulfoxaflor (0, 3, 9, or 30 mg/kg) for four weeks.
• Tissue samples (serum, muscle, fat, liver, kidney, small intestine) were collected and analyzed for sulfoxaflor residues using LC-MS/MS.
• Correlation and regression models were developed based on residue levels in rats and pigs.

Main Results:

• Sulfoxaflor residues in pig tissues significantly correlated with those in rat tissues.
• Model predictions of sulfoxaflor residues in both species showed over 90% similarity to measured values.
• Sulfoxaflor administration did not adversely affect animal growth or feed efficiency.

Conclusions:

• Small laboratory animals, specifically rats, can serve as a viable alternative to livestock for in vivo pesticide residue quantification.
• This approach can reduce the reliance on large-scale animal experiments for establishing MRLs.
• The findings support the use of rodent models for obtaining in vivo pesticide residue data, contributing to regulatory science.