Whole body autoradiography of 3H-phencyclidine in mice

The present whole-body autoradiographic study demonstrates that the circulatory system is practically free of radioactivity, already 5 min after intravenous administration of 3H-Phencyclidine to mice. At this time, however, high radioactive levels appear in the lachrymal gland, nasal mucosa, bone marrow and spleen, as well as in the urinary, digestive, respiratory and reproductive systems. High accumulation is maintained up to 20 min after administration and, thereafter, radioactivity declines continuously with increasing time. After 6 h, radioactivity disappears in most organs, but remains notable in the kidney, lung and liver, as well as in the salivary and lachrymal glands. After 24 h, detectable amounts still persist in the liver, lung and in the salivary and lachrymal glands. The brain shows very low amounts of radioactivity during the whole period of observation. In pregnant mice, the drug accumulates in the placenta and partly crosses the placental barrier into the foetal tissues.