STUDIES IN THROMBO-ANGIITIS OBLITERANS (BUERGER) X. REDUCTION IN BLOOD VOLUME FOLLOWING BILATERAL OOPHORECTOMY

Abstract

One phase of our investigation of thrombo-angiitis obliterans has centered upon determining the significance of the low blood volume present in this condition. One of the puzzling facts about thrombo-angiitis obliterans is its rare occurrence in women. The theories that have been held to account for this immunity have included, first, differences in the habits and exposure of the two sexes; second, the possibility of a sex-linked hereditary factor; and third, a biological difference which protects women against the disease. Investigating the last of these theories, it seemed logical to assume that the ovaries might be responsible for this immunity. Certain known facts led us to believe that changes in the blood were produced by oophorectomy. For instance, women who have had both ovaries removed occasionally suffer from repeated attacks of phlebitis in the lower extremities during the years following the operation. It seemed possible that some alteration in the blood was responsible for this. Chemical changes in the blood after bilateral oophorectomy have been reported by other investigators (1, 2), but none have included study of the blood volume. For these reasons we decided to make a simultaneous study of the chemistry and blood volume in women and in female animals from whom both ovaries had been removed. We selected cholesterol, fibrinogen and viscosity as factors which might have a bearing upon the greater tendency to thrombosis.