Glutathione peroxidase in dried blood spots

Summary A new procedure utilizing dried blood spots was developed for detecting glutathione peroxidase deficiency. Samples from a known patient with a partial defect and from rats with an induced deficiency were distinguished from respective control groups by their longer defluorescence endpoints., Samples from 100 patients with anemia and 2 phenylketonuric infants on low-protein diets contained glutathione peroxidase activity similar to that in 82 controls, when screened for the enzyme defect by the new procedure.     

Glutathione peroxidase in dried blood spots.

A new procedure utilizing dried blood spots was developed for detecting glutathione peroxidase deficiency. Samples from a known patient with a partial defect and from rats with an induced deficiency were distinguished from respective control groups by their longer defluorescence endpoints. Samples from 100 patients with anemia and 2 phenyl-ketonuric infants on low-protein diets contained glutathione peroxidase activity similar to that in 82 controls, when screened for the enzyme defect by the new procedure.     

Effects of pregnancy and lactation on the serum selenium content of rats

Summary The serum selenium content of rats was measured by means of neutron activation analysis. It was found to drop between the 12th day of pregnancy and term and to return to its original level within 2 days after delivery. Hysterectomy on the 10th day of gestation prevented this decrease. Nursing had no influence on the element level. The findings suggest that placental secretions might be involved in the control of the serum selenium content of rats during pregnancy.     

Effects of pregnancy and lactation on the serum selenium content of rats

The serum selenium content of rats was measured by means of neutron activation analysis. It was found to drop between the 12th day of pregnancy and term and to return to its original level within 2 days after delivery. Hysterectomy on the 10th day of gestation prevented this decrease. Nursing had no influence on the element level. The findings suggest that placental secretions might be involved in the control of the serum selenium content of rats during pregnancy.     

Sex differences in level of a vasoactive plasma protein and changes during pregnancy

Zusammenfassung Menschenplasma enthält ein Eiweiss, welches sämtliche Blutgefässe in vitro einengt, jedoch in vivo Arterienerweiterung zu veranlassen scheint. Das Plasmaniveau von Frauen ist höher als das von Männern. Während der Schwangerschaft fällt es ab und kehrt postpartum zu dem Ausgangspunkt der Kontrollen zurück, oder es steigt sogar über diesen Ausgangspunkt hinaus.     

Effects of 2-Br-α-ergokryptine on plasma prolactin level during parturition and onset of lactation in cows

Zusammenfassung An drei Kühen wurde um den Zeitpunkt der Geburt der Effekt eines spezifischen Prolaktininhibitors (2-Br--Ergokryptin-Methan-Sulfonat=CB-154, Sandoz, Basel) auf den Plasmaprolaktinspiegel und das Einsetzen der Laktation untersucht. In allen drei Fällen konnte eine starke Hemmung der Prolaktinbasiswerte als auch eine Unterdrückung des normalerweise vor der Geburt auftretenden Prolaktingipfels erreicht werden. Ebenfalls wurde die Laktation (vergleichsweise zum Vorjahr) eindeutig gehemmt. Maximal zeigte sich die relative Unterdrückung der Milchleistung bei der Kuh, welche kurz vor und auch noch nach der Geburt mit CB-154 behandelt wurde. Prolaktin wird somit für das Rind als das massgebliche Hormon der Laktogenese — im Gegensatz zur Galaktopoese — angesehen.

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This wirk was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Production of underweight embryos in rats treated with barbiturates during pregnancy

Summary The effect of administering barbital sodium, phenobarbitone or butobartitone during pregnancy was investigated in rats. The study shows that these bartiturates affect the litter-size and retard the foetal growth markedly. The embryos produced are significantly undersized.Acknowledgments. The authors wish to express their gratitude to Prof. M. R. Rajasekar Setty for the encouragement received and CSIR, India, for the award of a Research Fellowship to A. V. Champakamalini.     

Brain development in offspring of rats treated with nicotine during pregnancy

Résumé Lorsque le rat a été traité par des injections journalières de nicotine au cours de la gestation, le développement des réponses du jeune rat a l'électrochoc est retardé. Ce modifications, qui reflètent des altérations dans la maturation des systèmes inhibiteurs et excitants du système nerveux central au cours de la croissance persistent jusqu'à la 5^e semaine post-natale. Ces résultats indiquent que la nicotine est capable de provoquer des modifications dans le développement du cerveau à l'état foetal.     

Glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase in the red blood cells of GSH-normal and GSH-deficient sheep

Levels of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase were measured in the red blood cells of glutathione(GSH)-normal and GSH-deficient sheep. There were no significant differences in any of the 3 enzyme activities measured in the 2 groups of sheep. Also, there was no relationship between GSH level and the enzyme activity. These results suggest that inspite of large differences in GSH levels, the red blood cells from GSH-normal and GSH-deficient Merino sheep appear to have similar response to oxidative stress against which GSH is credited to play a major role.     

Prolactin concentrations in mouse milk during lactation

Summary Prolactin levels in mouse milk increased from the day of parturition to give a concentration of 230 ng/ml on days 2 and 3 of lactation. Thereafter, levels dropped to 140 ng/ml by day 6 and were maintained at this concentration until weaning.Acknowledgments. Mouse PRL and its antiserum was the generous gift of Y.N. Sinha (Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, La Jolla, California). J.M.B. was in receipt of a Liverpool University Studentship.