The Production of Methane and Hydrogen by the Sheep

Abstract

The rate of production of methane by sheep fed at regular intervals of 24 hrs. reached a peak in the first 4 hrs. after feeding, and fell during the remainder of the day. Production of methane ceased after the animal had fasted about 4 days. On resumption of feeding, the formation of combustible gas is influenced by the duration of the fast. In animals fed after prolonged fasts, or after emptying the rumen, free H was observed as an initial product, being gradually replaced by methane. Inhibition of such H formation was brought about by addition of normal rumen contents from another animal. These observations are in conformity with the hypothesis that at least 2 organisms are involved in the production of methane, one producing H2 and another catalysing the reduction of Co2 to methane by the H2 so formed.