STUDIES ON THE INFLUENCE OF SEX HORMONES ON THE AVIAN LIVER

Abstract

SUMMARY: 1. A modified method of determining the avian liver clearance of intravenously administered sodium bromosulphthalein (BSP) is described. 2. Using this test, a sexual difference has been observed in the clearance gradients over the periods 5–10 and 10–15 min after injection of BSP. This appears to be determined by sex hormones, in that males caponized by stilboestrol possess a female type of clearance. 3. Surgically caponized birds appear to occupy an anomalous position which can be variously interpreted as showing female or male trends, according to the particular clearance gradients selected. Androgen, however, causes a clear reversion to the male type of excretion. 4. High initial BSP concentrations in the plasma of certain females have been correlated with a relatively smaller blood volume in proportion to body weight increase.