Milk-arterial plasma transfer of PCDDs and PCDFs in pigs

Polychlorodibenzo-para-dioxins (PCDDs) and Polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDFs) are ubiquitous in the environment. They are mainly formed as unwanted byproducts during various chemical, industrial, and combustion processes. Thus, these pollutants can be found in the food chain. The aim of this experiment was to study the transfer of PCDD/Fs from spiked milk to arterial blood in pigs, which are considered as valid models for humans. Pigs were fed with 900 mL of milk spiked with a mixture of 17 dioxins. The levels of PCDD/Fs in the serum extracts were determined using HRGC/HRMS prior to consumption of the milk, and at 3, 5, and 7 h after milk ingestion. Concentrations of PCDD/Fs in arterial plasma increased from 3 h to 5 h and decreased at 7 h. At time point 5 h, concentrations were found between 500 and 10 000 pg g^-1 fat. The transfer ratio ≪ plasma fat/milk fat ≫ was usually found between 0.7 and 3%. Related to the different milk concentrations, results of this study indicate a similar behavior of the studied molecules.