INVESTIGATIONS ON THE HORMONES IN UDDER LYMPH AND PLASMA FROM CATTLE

¹ State Agricultural University, Ghent, Belgium; Associé du Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique

Hydrocortisone, corticosterone, protein-bound iodine and inorganic iodine have been determined in udder lymph and plasma of the udder veins. Hydrocortisone in absolute value and in percentage of total steroids is lower in lymph than in plasma, while corticosterone occurs in practically the same concentration in the two fluids.

Protein-bound iodine expressed in absolute values and as a percentage of total iodine, occurs in lower concentration in lymph than in plasma, but more iodine per g. protein is bound in lymph. A positive correlation has been established in udder lymph between the hydrocortisone and the protein-bound iodine.

Note:

We thank sincerely Dr. L. De Deken, Director of the Ghent Municipal slaughter-house, and M. De Mulder and I. Berlamont for technical assistance.