Biosynthesis of Organic Arsenic Compounds in Brown Trout (Salmo trutta)

Radioactive, inorganic arsenic was administered to brown trout (Salmo trutta) orally and by intramuscular injection. The orally administered arsenic appeared in the tissues in an altered form that is presumed organic; this organoarsenical was also found in the gastrointestinal contents. The injected arsenic appeared in the tissues in inorganic form and was only slowly converted to organic form; meanwhile, large amounts of inorganic and organic arsenic were detected in the bile. These findings are consistent with biosynthesis of the organic arsenic compound within the gastrointestinal tract.