ABSTRACT
Four imidazolinone herbicides being used commercially, imazaquin, imazamethabenz-methyl, and imazethapyr are selective compounds that are registered for use in legumes and cereals, while imazapyr is an herbicide used for total vegetation control. The metabolism of these compounds in animals, specifically the laboratory rat, lactating goat, and laying hen was determined using radiolabeled compounds to facilitate detection and analysis. Animal metabolism studies have been conducted in the rat, the lactating goat, and the laying hen, using a 14C-carboxyl label and a uniformly labeled benzene ring. Labeled imazethapyr was used to determine the absorption, distribution, excretion, and metabolism in rats. The imidazolinones are rapidly absorbed and excreted in the laboratory rat, primarily in the urine. With the exception of imazamethabenz-methyl, none of the imidazolinones are significantly metabolized. The major metabolites derived from imazamethabenz-methyl in the rat have been identified in the wheat plant.
