The Quantitative Collection and Determination of Hydrogen Gas From the Rat and Factors Affecting Its Production

Summary

A life-support system for the rat is described in which hydrogen evolved after consumption of a given diet is quantitatively trapped and may be determined. The technique is not traumatic to the animal. The maximum rate of hydrogen production after feeding a dried-bean diet occurred between 4 and 5 hr. The quantity of hydrogen arising from such a diet increased with increasing consumption of beans and was directly proportional to the amount of beans eaten over a range which produced 2 to 8 ml of hydrogen/feeding. Dietary regimen of the animal before testing was found to influence response. With consecutive daily feedings of a bean diet, hydrogen production decreased by 18.6% of the initial value per day for approximately 4 days.