Conversion of 3-nitropropanol (miserotoxin aglycone) to 3-nitropropionic acid in cattle and sheep

The metabolism of intravenously administered 3-nitropropanol (miserotoxin aglycone) was examined in cattle and sheep using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) to determine nitrocompounds in plasma. 3-Nitropropanol (NPOH) showed a rapid rate of decay and simultaneously, 3-nitropropionic acid (NPA) was detected at comparable levels in plasma. In animals dosed with NPOH, the observed NPA decayed at a slower rate than NPOH. Nitrite levels in plasma were more closely related to NPA than to NPOH. Therefore, metabolism of NPOH is linked to NPA and this could provide a common basis for the toxicity of these compounds in cattle and sheep.