Radioactive Tracer Methods for Determination of the Disposition of Arsenic in the Silkworm12

Abstract

Analyses of feces, regurgitation, blood, gut and tissue samples of silkworm larvae fed radioactive As were made with a Geiger-Muller counter. On the basis of these analyses the following conclusions are drawn: Initial elimination of As is more rapid and complete for insoluble than for soluble arsenates; the arsenates eliminated most completely tend to be least effective; elimination of As once absorbed ia slow, but is greatest for the most completely absorbed arsenates; most of the absorbed As is found in the wall of the midgut; transfer of As through the gut to the rest of the body depends upon the original composition of the arsenical; the toxic effects of the arsenates are roughly parallel with the As concs. in the gut and other tissues (but exceptions are noted); the behavior of the arsenates can be explained on the basis of absorption as complex ions; radioactive As shows great promise as a tool for the investigation of the toxicology of As in insects.