Sperm activation inBalanus balanoides (Crustacea: Cirripedia)

Summary Ammonium ions alone will activate both vesicula and inseminated spermatozoa ofBalanus balanoides. Maximum activity, however, occurs when inseminated spermatozoa are treated with the blood and oviducal gland fluid ofB. balanoides.Acknowledgments. I should like to thank Mr K. White for the ammonia determinations and Prof. D. J. Crisp and Dr P. A. Gabbott for useful discussions.     

Nicotinamide administration alters the activities of hepatic microsomal mixed function oxidases

Summary Systemic action of nicotinamide significantly alters the activities of hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes. Male rats injected with nicotinamide have reduced levels of cytochrome P450, demethylases and aniline hydroxylase. The changes appear to be sex-dependent since in the case of female rats activities of p-nitroanisole-o-demethylase and aniline hydroxylase are enhanced whereas cytochrome P450 content remains unaltered.Authors gratefully acknowledge the encouragement given by Professor A.S. Paintal during the course of this investigation. One of us (J.K.B.) is grateful to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, for the award of a research fellowship.     

Pressor and oxitocic-like effects of angiotensin affected by aldosterone pretreatment in guinea-pigs

Résumé Les auteurs examinent l'augmentation de l'action de l'angiotensine sur la pression carotidienne et sur la contraction utérine chez des animaux traités avec de l'aldostérone. Ils pensent aussi que le traitement conditionne le développement du phénomène taquiphylactique de l'angiotensine.     

A new method for measuring guanidine in uremia

Riassunto Si descrive un metodo per la determinazione della guanidine nei liquidi biologici e si rileva che essa aumenta nel siero uremico fino a 30 volte la norma (valore medio normale: 1.41±0.49 g/100 ml) e che nei cani uremici la concentrazione muscolare è di quasi 3 volte superiore a quella plasmatica. La eliminazione urinaria non è diversa fra normali ed uremici: 382±221 e 459±229 g/24 h, rispettivamente.

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Aknowledgments. This investigation was supported by Public Health Service, Research Contract No. PH-43-68-1466.