Histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine in the intestinal tract of germ-free animals, animals harbouring one microbial species and conventional animals.

Histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine were determined in the intestinal tract of germfree and conventional rats and mice. Comparable histamine data were collected in Clostridium perfringens mono-associated rats, while 5-hydroxytryptamine determinations were extended to include the chicken. In rats and mice harbouring an intestinal microflora, bacterial formation of histamine occurs mainly in the caecum. Compared to values found in germ-free animals, histamine levels in the wall of the small intestine of the conventional animal tend to be higher, though in the rat the data are not consistent. Mono-association (harbouring of one microbial species) of germ-free rats with a histamine-producing strain of Clostridium perfringens resulted in high histamine concentrations in the caecal contents, but failed to increase the histamine levels in the wall of the small intestine. 5-Hydroxytryptamine levels in the intestinal wall in the presence of an intestinal flora were generally lower than those in germ-free animals. Modification of the flora by dietary administration of penicillin to mice partly abolished its depressing effect.