Metabolism of propane-1:2-diol infused into the rumen of sheep

Abstract

1. Propane-1:2-diol (loog/d) was infused through a cannula into the rumen of sheep receiving a ration of hay and dried grass. The concentration of volatile fatty acids, propanediol, lactic acid and of added polyethylene glycol, and the pH of the rumen contents were measured. The energy metabolism of the sheep was also determined.2. Most of the propanediol disappeared from the rumen within 4 h of its infusion. The infusion of propanediol resulted in a 10% decrease in the concentration of total volatile acids; the concentration of acetic acid decreased by about 30%, that of propionic acid increased by up to 60% and there was no change in the concentration of butyric acid.3. The methane production of the sheep decreased by about 9% after the infusion of propanediol and there were increases in the oxgyen consumption, carbon dioxide production and heat production of the animals; each of these increases was equivalent to about 40% of the theoretical value for the complete metabolism of 100 g propanediol.4. It is concluded that, when propanediol is introduced into the rumen, a proportion is metabolized in the rumen and a large proportion is absorbed directly. Our thanks are due to Dr J. H. Moore for helpful discussions, to Mr D. R. Paterson, Mr J. R. McDill and Mr C. E. Park for looking after the animals and to Miss K. M. Graham, Miss A. T. McKay and Mrs C. E. Ramage for performing the analyses.