The content of ascorbic acids in different tissues of cattle, normally developed piglets, splay-legged piglets, adult swine and dogs

The following ascorbic acid levels were recorded from different organs of cattle, with all values quoted being related to mg/100 g fresh matter: 150 +/- 20 in pituitary gland, 170 +/- 40 in left adrenal gland, 45.5 +/- 12.5 in spleen, 38.1 +/- 7.3 in liver, 30.0 +/- 8.5 in cerebrum, 23.2 +/- 7.2 in cerebellum, 16.4 +/- 6.1 in kidney, 11.0 +/- 2.9 in heart, and 9.1 +/- 2.1 in M. longissimus dorsi. The ascorbic acid level in blood plasma of normally developed piglets was 6.5 +/- 2.7 mg/dl and was thus higher with significance (p less than 0.01) than that recorded from splayleg piglets which was 2.3 +/- 0.96 mg/dl. The levels in the M. semimembranosus and M. semitendinosus in piglets of moderate birth weight were higher, as well (p less than 0.05). The liver level in pigs for slaughter was 30.8 +/- 9.0 mg/100 g lower than that in piglets. Piglets exhibited genetically founded differences in their capability of biosynthesis of ascorbic acid. The highest ascorbic acid level in dog was recorded from the pituitary and adrenal glands, values being 135.5 +/- 7.5 mg/100 g fresh matter or 90.3 +/- 37.8 mg/100 g. Their liver level was 27.9 +/- 11.9 mg/100 g.     

Studies on activity and properties of alkaline phosphatase in body fluids (plasma, serum, bile) and in various organs (kidney, liver, small intestine, bones) in cattle]

Behaviour of the alkaline phosphatase (AP) present in blood serum, blood plasma, bile and extracts of organs (kidney, liver, intestinal mucosa, bone) was studied under various conditions of incubation (after preliminary heat treatment and after addition of L-phenyl-alanine). AP in serum and bile from calves and bullocks was very heat labile and did not inhibit phenylalanine much. EDTA and citrate were active inhibitors of AP, and therefore blood samples containing these anticoagulants are unsuitable for enzyme investigations. Out of four compounds tested, the substrate that was most rapidly split by AP from tissues was disodium phenylphosphate. AP activity was particularly high in kidney. The most heat-labile form of AP was that present in bone. AP in different tissues was inhibited to different extents by phenylalanine.     

Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, chloride and glucose in the blood of cattle following intravenous infusion of solutions with various calcium and magnesium concentration aimed at improving the treatment of hypomagnesemia]

Recent findings on changes in the mineral content of tissues in bovine hypocalcaemia and hypomagnesaemia show the necessity of using different mineral solutions for the treatment and prevention of these conditions. Infusion of 2% CaCl2-6H2O with 10% MgCl2-6H2O and 5% glucose one after the other or in combination produced severe functional changes in cardiac activity and respiration. Recommended concentrations for treatment or prophylaxis of hypomagnesaemia were 10 g magnesium chloride and 2 g calcium chloride, or alternatively 12 g magnesium adipate and 5 g calcium gluconate, in 100 ml of distilled water (total dose 500 ml). This was well tolerated and it overcame the mineral deficiency in tissues.     

Alkaline phosphatase activity in blood serum, bile and urine of cattle and calves]

Mean values and the range of values for alkaline phosphatase activity in serum (expressed in units) were: - calves 909 (413-1445), bulls 325 (179-543) and cattle 131 (72 to 162). Differences between these groups were statistically significant. Values for bile were: - calves 416 (116-882), cattle 546 (145-1203), bulls 738 (108-1438) enzyme units; here there were no significant differences. Activity of the enzyme in urine was very low, mean values being 0.77 in calves, 0.39 in cattle and 1.69 in bulls; the differences between groups were statistically significant.