The Pharmacokinetics of Δ<sup>9</sup>-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Sheep

The pharmacokinetics of Δ<sup>9</sup>-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ<sup>9</sup>-THC) has not been established in ruminants. Pharmacokinetic knowledge is important given feeding industrial hemp biomass has been shown to result in tissue residues post feeding in sheep. Due to a lack...

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Main Authors: Sarah A. Stevens, Scott H. Edwards, Glenys K. Noble, Colin J. Scrivener, Gaye L. Krebs, Christopher E. Petzel, Christopher D. May, Zi Xuan Tai, Bronwyn L. Blake, Kenneth C. Dods, Leon N. Warne
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/22/3328
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author Sarah A. Stevens
Scott H. Edwards
Glenys K. Noble
Colin J. Scrivener
Gaye L. Krebs
Christopher E. Petzel
Christopher D. May
Zi Xuan Tai
Bronwyn L. Blake
Kenneth C. Dods
Leon N. Warne
author_facet Sarah A. Stevens
Scott H. Edwards
Glenys K. Noble
Colin J. Scrivener
Gaye L. Krebs
Christopher E. Petzel
Christopher D. May
Zi Xuan Tai
Bronwyn L. Blake
Kenneth C. Dods
Leon N. Warne
author_sort Sarah A. Stevens
collection DOAJ
description The pharmacokinetics of Δ<sup>9</sup>-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ<sup>9</sup>-THC) has not been established in ruminants. Pharmacokinetic knowledge is important given feeding industrial hemp biomass has been shown to result in tissue residues post feeding in sheep. Due to a lack of testing and available data, a ‘maximum’ concentration of Δ<sup>9</sup>-THC has not been currently set for foods of animal origin. Consequently, this study was designed to gain a better understanding of how ruminants process Δ<sup>9</sup>-THC. Eight Merino ewes were administered with two per os (PO) doses of 88.5 mg Δ<sup>9</sup>-THC/kg bodyweight (BW) 12 h apart. Blood samples were collected periodically post dosing to determine the pharmacokinetics of Δ<sup>9</sup>-THC and subcutaneous fat biopsies were taken to investigate the deposition and elimination of Δ<sup>9</sup>-THC from sheep. An elimination half-life of 31.40 ± 13.87 h was identified, with residues persisting in the subcutaneous fat for 28 d in five of the eight sheep, before decreasing below the limit of detection in all sheep by 91 d. These results support the prolonged presence of Δ<sup>9</sup>-THC residues previously identified. Thus, imposing a practical withholding period for ruminants involved in the food chain may not be possible, with further research required to investigate how iHemp biomass may be safely fed to ruminants.
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spelling doaj-art-7887b48d23a64ac0aab2d3b07b79bcd02025-08-20T02:08:07ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152024-11-011422332810.3390/ani14223328The Pharmacokinetics of Δ<sup>9</sup>-Tetrahydrocannabinol in SheepSarah A. Stevens0Scott H. Edwards1Glenys K. Noble2Colin J. Scrivener3Gaye L. Krebs4Christopher E. Petzel5Christopher D. May6Zi Xuan Tai7Bronwyn L. Blake8Kenneth C. Dods9Leon N. Warne10School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, AustraliaSchool of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, AustraliaSchool of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, AustraliaSchool of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, AustraliaSchool of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, AustraliaSchool of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, AustraliaChemCentre, Bentley, WA 6983, AustraliaChemCentre, Bentley, WA 6983, AustraliaHemp Feed Solutions, Vasse Valley, North Jindong, WA 6280, AustraliaSAGE Consultancy, Dianella, WA 6059, AustraliaThe Vet Pharmacist, East Fremantle, WA 6158, AustraliaThe pharmacokinetics of Δ<sup>9</sup>-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ<sup>9</sup>-THC) has not been established in ruminants. Pharmacokinetic knowledge is important given feeding industrial hemp biomass has been shown to result in tissue residues post feeding in sheep. Due to a lack of testing and available data, a ‘maximum’ concentration of Δ<sup>9</sup>-THC has not been currently set for foods of animal origin. Consequently, this study was designed to gain a better understanding of how ruminants process Δ<sup>9</sup>-THC. Eight Merino ewes were administered with two per os (PO) doses of 88.5 mg Δ<sup>9</sup>-THC/kg bodyweight (BW) 12 h apart. Blood samples were collected periodically post dosing to determine the pharmacokinetics of Δ<sup>9</sup>-THC and subcutaneous fat biopsies were taken to investigate the deposition and elimination of Δ<sup>9</sup>-THC from sheep. An elimination half-life of 31.40 ± 13.87 h was identified, with residues persisting in the subcutaneous fat for 28 d in five of the eight sheep, before decreasing below the limit of detection in all sheep by 91 d. These results support the prolonged presence of Δ<sup>9</sup>-THC residues previously identified. Thus, imposing a practical withholding period for ruminants involved in the food chain may not be possible, with further research required to investigate how iHemp biomass may be safely fed to ruminants.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/22/3328industrial hempTHCpharmacokineticsresiduesruminants
spellingShingle Sarah A. Stevens
Scott H. Edwards
Glenys K. Noble
Colin J. Scrivener
Gaye L. Krebs
Christopher E. Petzel
Christopher D. May
Zi Xuan Tai
Bronwyn L. Blake
Kenneth C. Dods
Leon N. Warne
The Pharmacokinetics of Δ<sup>9</sup>-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Sheep
Animals
industrial hemp
THC
pharmacokinetics
residues
ruminants
title The Pharmacokinetics of Δ<sup>9</sup>-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Sheep
title_full The Pharmacokinetics of Δ<sup>9</sup>-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Sheep
title_fullStr The Pharmacokinetics of Δ<sup>9</sup>-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Sheep
title_full_unstemmed The Pharmacokinetics of Δ<sup>9</sup>-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Sheep
title_short The Pharmacokinetics of Δ<sup>9</sup>-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Sheep
title_sort pharmacokinetics of δ sup 9 sup tetrahydrocannabinol in sheep
topic industrial hemp
THC
pharmacokinetics
residues
ruminants
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/22/3328
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