THE EFFECT OF CASTRATION AND VARIOUS STEROIDS ON THE ARGINASE ACTIVITY OF THE TISSUES OF THE MOUSE

Abstract

The demonstration that urinary androgen extracts (1, 2) apd certain crystalline steroids (3-12) produce marked nitrogen retention in dogs and humans suggested that these steroids might affect enzymes concerned with protein metabolism.Herein is reported the effect of castration and a number of steroids on the arginase activity of several tissues of, the mouse. MethodsPellets-The steroids' were made into cylindrical pellets of 14 f 1 mg., diameter 2.7 mm., and height 2.7 f 0.1 mm., by means of a hand press designed in this laboratory.AnimaW-Mice of the highly inbred Murray-Little dba strain were castrated under ether anesthesia at 16.0 to 19.5 gm. of body weight.They were fed Purina fox chow checkers.In most of the experiments four or more mice were used.In a few instances, however, the scarcity of material limited the number of animals, but only obvious conclusions are made in these cases.Duration of Expekaents-The * This investigation was aided by grants from the Josiah Macy, Jr., Foundation.Progress reports of the data contained in this paper have been made to the Josiah Macy, Jr., Foundation conferences on the "Metabolic aspects of convalescence including bone and wound healing" (September 11-12, December ll-12,1942; March 12-13