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Action of Chloral Hydrate on Rumen Microorganisms in Vitro

Laboratorium voor Medisch-Veterinaire Chemie Utrecht, The Netherlands

ABSTRACT

Chloral hydrate is one of the therapeutics used in the treatment of the alimentary form of acetonaemia in cattle (13). It has been found to increase the level of propionic acid in the rumen of cows after oral administration. The mechanism of this action is not known. Perhaps the explanation must be sought in a selective influence on the rumen microorganisms (1). It is the purpose of this communication to consider this question with regard to the breakdown of two substrates by the rumen microorganisms in vitro.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

From rumen fluid, obtained from flstulated cows, inocula were prepared according to the method of Dehority et al. (7) and incubation techniques were those of Burroughs et al. (6) and Bentley et al. (5). When washed cell suspensions were used for cellulose breakdown it was necessary to add the growth factors biotin, p-aminobenzoic acid, and valeric acid (5). In experiments with untreated rumen liquor this was not necessary.