Abstract: The distribution and depletion of clenbuterol hdrochloride in ovine eyes, heart, lung, kidney and spleen of sheep after treatment with dietary clenbuterol hdrochloride were studied. 24 sheep with the weight of (30±5)kg were used to determine the residues and depletion of clenbuterol hdrochloride.Sheep were fed 50 μg/kg clenbuterol hdrochloride for 35 consecutive days.Samples of ovine tissues were collected to determine clenbuterol hdrochloride concentrations by LC-MS/MS.The results showed that residues of clenbuterol hdrochloride were high in ovine eyes. The elimination of clenbuterol hdrochloride was slow in eyes. Clenbuterol hdrochloride concentration in eyes was 42.42 to 63.48 μg/kg on day 14 after withdrawal. The elimination of clenbuterol hdrochloride was the fast in spleen. Clenbuterol hdrochloride was not able to be detected (<0.7 μg/kg) in spleen on day 3 after withdrawal. So eyes could be used to monitor and confirm the illegal use of clenbuterol hdrochloride in mutton sheep.

Key words: clenbuterol hdrochloride; sheep; depletio