The metabolism of some xenobiotics in germ-free and conventional rats

The different participation of the gastrointestinal microflora in the biotransformation of gamma-hexachlorcyclohexane (gamma-HCH), azobenzene and the isolated glucosinolate progoitrin was studied. Marked dehydrochlorination of gamma-HCH to gamma-pentachlorcyclohexene (PCCH) also occurs without participation of the microflora. Azobenzene was reduced in germ-free (g) and conventional (c) rats to hydrazobenzene but was split to aniline only in c-rats. Progoitrin was split with and without the influence of the microflora, but the splitting was more complete in rats with intact gastrointestinal flora.