A METHOD FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF POTASSIUM CYANIDE IN NORMAL RAT DIET

Abstract

potessium cyanide added to normal rat diet moistened with water was exensively lost partly by diffusion as HCN and partly by transformation to formate and other product. However, when . potassium cyanide was added to the diet mixed with 5% arachis oil instead of moistening with water, the loss of cyanide was not significant (P 0.3). Using this diet, it was possible to show that KCN given to groups of rats at a dose level of 77 umoles/rat/day in the diet did not diminish weight gain or feed in­take but resulted in elevated thiocyanate levels in plasma and urine. This method therefore represents a most effective way for the administration of known amounts of cyanide to rats or other ex­perimental animals in the diet.