[en] This complex study was designed to measure the transport and excretion characteristics of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriaminepentacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) in dog's livers following bolus and infusion. Simultaneous T1 magnetic resonance imaging was performed to measure maximum signal enhancement. Anesthetized dogs had cannulation of the common bile duct and urinary bladder for collections and cannulation of the femoral artery and vein for monitoring, blood sampling and infusion. Gd-EOB-DTPA was administered by bolus (range 12.5-200 μmol/kg) and infusion (range 0.4-6.4 μmol/min per kg). An hepatic transport maximum 0.09-0.15 μmol/min/kg was achieved with a blood concentration of 0.03-0.06 μmol/mL. Marked hepatic affinity for Gd-EOB-DTPA was demonstrated with measurements of liver concentration. Maximum T1 signal enhancement was achieved with blood Gd-EOB-DTPA concentration of 0.02-0.03 μmol/mL and a liver concentration of 1-2 μmol/g. The transport maximum for Gd-EOP-DTPA in the dog was similar to that for ipodate and iodipamide and effective imaging was achieved with sub-maximal doses. The maximum signal enhancement at blood concentrations less than required for maximum transport suggest a wide latitude for effective clinical imaging. 4 refs., 4 tabs., 1 fig