Effects of alloxan on orotic acid and glycogen content in various vertebrate species.

Alloxan treatment induces a decrease of orotic acid content in various organs of carp, frog, pigeon and rat, parallel to a decrease of liver and muscle glycogen content. Loss of orotic acid and glycogen cannot be prevented by orotic acid and carbamyl phosphate given i.p. Mice, rats and pigeons use up and excrete exogenous orotic acid rapidly, but carps and frogs accumulate it.