SERUM PROTEIN-BOUND IODINE AND SERUM LIPID CHANGES IN THE BABOON (PAPIO URSINUS)

Abstract

SUMMARY: Serial analyses of serum PBI and serum lipids have been carried out on baboons during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and lactation. One baboon aborted in the course of pregnancy. The serum PBI is markedly elevated throughout pregnancy in the baboon (from 4·1 ± 0·3 μg/100 ml. to 5·4 ± 0·9 μg/100 ml.), whereas all the serum lipid fractions decrease significantly: cholesterol from a mean value of 138 ± 80 to 118 ± 11·8 mg/100 ml., and lipid phosphorus from 9·6 ± 0·8 to 8·2 ± 0·4 mg/100 ml. (means ± 2 s.d.). After parturition the PBI decreases to the original level of 4·4 ± 0·7 μg/100 ml., whereas all lipid fractions increase (639 ± 26·3 mg/100 ml. total lipids, 169 ± 7·3 mg/100 ml. cholesterol and 11·2 ± 1·5 mg/100 ml. lipid phosphorus). The cholesterol/lipid phosphorus (C/P) ratio seems to rise slightly from 14·4 ± 1·1 during the menstrual cycle, to 14·9 ± 1·4 in pregnancy and to 15·2 ± 1·9 in lactation. The patterns of serum PBI and lipid before or after abortion in one baboon were similar to those observed during normal pregnancy and lactation. While serum lipids in the pregnant baboon follow a pattern which is the reverse of that described in human pregnancy, the serum PBI pattern is similar to that of women.