Trans-Aconitate Utilization by Sheep

Abstract

SummarySheep fed diets containing 3·5 and 7· 0% trans·aconitate on a dry weight basis for 5 days appeared normal and maintained normal levels of blood citrate, ketones, and aconitate, but showed large increases in urinary citrate. Calcium and magnesium levels in plasma and urine were not substantially modified. When trans-aconitate was placed in the rumen it disappeared rapidly but did not increase the concentration of rumen volatile fatty acids; blood and urinary aconitate values remained low. trans-Aconitate did not inhibit the fermentation of soluble substrates by rumen microorganisms in vitro. Both cis-and trans-aconitate were fermented slowly.Intravenously injected sodium trans-aconitate at 1· 0 m-mole/kg body weight produced no ill effects. The citrate which subsequently accumulated in blood and urine was not a radiometabolite of [1,5-14C]trans-aconitate, suggesting that it was formed by aconitate hydratase inhibition. Plasma calcium and magnesium values were not depressed by intravenous trans-aconitate administration but urinary calcium excretion increased and urinary magnesium decreased. Under similar conditions of injection, sodium citrate was lethal.These data are believed to exclude trans-aconitate as a sole cause of lethal aconitate hydratase inhibition or of hypomagnesaemia in sheep.

Partition column chromatography for quantitating effects of fertilization on plant acids

“…Citric acid is metabolized more rapidly than trans-aconitic acid by rumen microorganisms (Kennedy, 1968). Packett and Fordham (1965) also observed a rapid disappearance of itric acid from the rumen of lambs.…”

“…In K-fertilized Nordan, citric acid was present in appreciably lower concentrations than trans-aconitic or malic acids, but citric acid could also participate in complexing Mg in animals grazing both Nordan and Fairway. Citric acid is metabolized more rapidly than trans-aconitic acid by rumen microorganisms (Kennedy, 1968). Packett and Fordham (1965) also observed a rapid disappearance of citric acid from the rumen of lambs.…”

Effect of Oral Potassium and Sodium Chloride on Plasma Composition of Cattle: A Grass Tetany Related Study

“…Blosser et al (1951) have also shown that highly significant differences in plasma citric acid occurs between animals. According to Kennedy (1968) citrate and trans-aconitate disappear rapidly from the rumen. Results from this study support this conclusion.…”

In vitro ruminal fermentation of organic acids common in forage

“…Packett and Fordham (14) and Wright (18) found that the ruminal fermentation of citric acid in vivo and in vitro was rapid. Kennedy studied the fermentation of aconitic acid in vivo and likewise noted a rapid disappearance (11).…”