The deworming product, levamisole, is transformed into other compounds in an animal's body, but almost all of these compounds pass out of the animal within two days. Levamisole is commonly used in sheep, swine and cattle, but has never been approved for use in cows producing milk. ARS scientists found that 48 hours after the animal has been treated, less than 1 percent of the levamisole and its residues was secreted into the milk and less than 5 percent remained that long in the cows' bodies--primarily in the liver. Most was eliminated through urine. The information will be useful to regulatory agencies deciding which "marker" compounds to monitor to help ensure food safety for consumers of dairy products.
Animal Metabolism-Agricultural Chemicals Research, Fargo, ND
Vernon J. Feil, (701) 239-1236, feilv@ars.usda.gov

Last Updated: April 25, 1997
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