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Metabolism of Betaine in the Ruminant¹

Colorado State University^,5, Fort Collins 80521

Abstract

[1-¹⁴C] betaine, [¹⁵N] betaine and [methyl-¹⁴C] betaine were used in vitro and in vivo studies of betaine metabolism in the rumen. Labeled acetate was recovered when [1-¹⁴C] betaine was incubated with buffered rumen contents. [methyl-¹⁴C] betaine gave rise to radioactivity in trimethylamine, methane and C0₂. Betaine appeared to be metabolized more rapidly when incubated with rumen contents obtained from animals fed an all-roughage diet rather than a mixed roughage-grain diet; however, studies with [¹⁵ N] betaine indicated that ammonia production from betaine was greater with the mixed diet. When [1-¹⁴C] betaine was added to the rumen of a fistulated sheep, the label was found in both rumen and blood acetate and a total of 48.2% of the administered radioactivity was recovered in the expired CO₂. The addition of [methyl-¹⁴C] betaine to the rumen was followed by a rapid production of ¹⁴C-labeled trimethylamine. Radioactivity in the urine amounted to 23.4% of the dose and 71% of that radioactivity could be accounted for as trimethylamine and its N-oxide. Other losses of the methyl label were: expired CO₂, 16.4%; rumen methane, 9.9%; and rumen CO₂ , .3%. An estimated turnover rate of 45% per hour was measured for the period of most active betaine utilization in the rumen. Possible pathways for betaine metabolism in the rumen are discussed.

¹ Supported in part by the Great Western Sugar Co., Denver, CO.

² Present address: Metabolism and Radiation Research Laboratory, ARS, USDA, Fargo, ND 58102.

³ Present address: Department of Animal Science, Southern Univ., Baton Rouge, LA 70813.

⁴ Present address: Department of Nutritional Sciences, Univ. of Connecticut, Storrs 06268.

⁵ Department of Animal Science.

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