METABOLISM OF ALIPHATIC NITRO COMPOUNDS IN BOVINE RUMEN FLUID

Abstract

Metabolic studies with rumen fluid were conducted to determine rates of disappearance for 3-nitropropanol (3NPOH) and 3-nitropropionic acid (NPA), forage constituents which can be toxic to ruminants and non-ruminants. The in vitro rate of disappearance for NPA was substantially greater (P < 0.01) than for 3NPOH. The nitro compounds were metabolized most effectively when the inoculum originated from cattle fed orchardgrass soilage as compared with orchardgrass hay, alfalfa soilage or alfalfa hay. The in vivo ruminai clearance rate was substantially greater (P < 0.05) for 3NPHO than for 2-nitropropanol, a nitro compound which was not metabolized in vitro and this would be predicted if metabolism in the rumen contributed to the rate of 3NPOH disappearance.