Chapter 6: ToxicokineƟcs And BiotransformaƟon Of XenobioƟcs In Fishes

Abstract

Toxicokinetics refers to the time-dependent processes and quantitative relationships that regulate how foreign substances are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated in living organisms. In fish, these processes are fundamentally connected to their life in water and their specific physiological adaptations. Unlike landdwelling creatures, fish are in constant interaction with dissolved and suspended foreign substances via their gill epithelium and digestive system. Furthermore, their metabolic activities take place at significantly lower body temperatures compared to terrestrial animals resulting in unique detoxification timelines. The four essential stages of xenobiotic processing in fish— absorption, distribution, biotransformation, and excretion—collectively influence the biological outcome of pollutants and their ability to inflict damage.