Pharmacokinetics of Cefquinome on Single Intravenous Administration in Marathwadi Buffalo Calves by Microbiological Assay Technique

Abstract

Experiment was performed on six healthy Marathwadi buffalo calves of either sex of age above 6 months and weighing between 80 to 120 kg to study the different pharmacokinetic parameters after single intravenous administration @ 2 mg/kg body weight by microbiological assay technique. After intravenous administration of the drug, blood samples (4 ml each) of buffalo calves were collected from external jugular vein using disposable needles in clot activator tubes at different time intervals. The schedule of blood collection for pharmacokinetic studies after intravenous administration was at 0, 5, 10, 15, 30 min and 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 24 hrs. The serum levels of cefquinome were estimated by microbiological assay technique using large glass plate. Different Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated as described by different scientists. The peak serum concentration, elimination half life, volume of distribution, total body clearance, absorption half life and area under curve values found were 1.74 ± 0.151 mcg/ml at 2.5 min of sampling time, 1.97±0.14 h, 3.97 ± 0.83 L/kg (Vd(B)) and 2.86 ± 0.34L/kg (Vdss), 1.11 ± 0.13 L/kg.h−1, 0.10 ± 0.02 h, and 1.93 ± 0.23 μg/ml/hr respectively. The bioavailability of cefquinome in buffalo calves was found to be 100 %. It may be concluded that the elimination half life of cefquinome was 2.54 h in Marathwadi buffalo calves indicating the repeating of doses at 12 to 15 h intervals in Marathwadi buffalo calves and the loading dose would be double than the maintenance dose of cefquinome after intravenous administration.