On the purine metabolism of the Dalmatian coach hound

Abstract

THE remarkable differences in purine metabolism as to synthesis and uricolysis amongst vertebrates have recently been emphasized by Brunel [1937] in contrasting the mammal with the amphibian, reptile and bird. Even in the mammal the uricolytic index in man aind the higher apes is 0-2 whereas in most mammals it is 90-98. In a few it is intermediate as in the horse, 88, sheep, 80 and opossum, 79 [Hunter & Givens, 1914]. This is also true of the New World monkeys [Rheinberger, 1936]. Benedict [1916] first reported the unusual purine metabolism of the Dalmatian coach hound with an index of about 30 and de- monstrated the synthesis of purines in this animal on diets essentially purine- free.