Treatment of turkeys with nitroimidazoles: Impact of the selection of target analytes and matrices on an effective residue control

In several animal studies turkeys were treated with different nitroimidazoles (Dimetridazole, Metronidazole, Ronidazole, Ipronidazole). After slaughtering, different matrices (breast muscle, leg muscle, liver, plasma, retina) were analysed for their analyte content, for the percentage of hydroxy-metabolites, for homogeneity, stability and bound, and conjugated residues. The tests showed that for animals treated with Dimetridazole and Ipronidazole, the hydroxy-metabolites (2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-5-nitroimidazole (HMMNI) and 1-methyl-2-(2′-hydroxyisopropyl)-5-nitroimidazole (IPZOH)) are the relevant target analytes, whereas for animals treated with Ronidazole and Metronidazole, the parent drug itself is the most relevant analyte. In muscle samples an inhomogeneous analyte distribution was found. Degradation studies showed a rapid decline of the analyte concentration in muscle and liver samples stored at room temperature and a decelerated degradation at 4 °C. In plasma and retina samples, however, the analytes were stable during storage under the same conditions. In these matrices the analytes were found to be present in considerably higher concentrations than in muscle or liver and could be detected for a longer period of time after withdrawal of the medication. Therefore, plasma or retina can be recommended as target matrices for the residue control of nitroimidazoles in turkeys.