Absorption of rotenone from the gastrointestinal (GI)
tract is low and incomplete. In animals,rotenone has been found to be hundreds of times more toxic via the IV route than by the oral route. Fats and oils increase the absorption of rotenone from the GI tract. Rotenone is metabolized in the liver by NADP-linked hepatic microsomal enzymes.
Several metabolites have been identified as rotenoids, such as rotenolone I and II, hydroxyl and dihydroxyrotenones,etc. (Hayes, 1982; Gosselin et al., 1984).
It has been reported from studies conducted on rats and mice that approximately 20% of a dose is excreted in the urine within 24 h of oral administration (Hayes, 1982). Unabsorbed rotenone
from the GI tract is excreted in the feces.