Abstract
In a recent communication it was reported that in the cod there is a definite relationship between the percentage of calcium in the blood and the maturation period, the calcium rising to a markedly high level at the spawning season. 1 It was found likewise, in agreement with the investigations of others, that there is an inverse relationship between the size of the liver and the size and development of the roe, the liver becoming smaller as the ovary fills up and grows larger. At this time the liver may lose 50% or more of its fat. In many instances the weight of the fully matured ovary far exceeds that of the liver; for example in 3 fish, the ovary weighed 400, 345, and 270 gm. respectively, whereas the liver weighed 29, 105 and 60 gm. On testing the roe for antirachitic potency it proved in every instance to be active; this held true for the roe of the cod, sheepshead, flounder, carp, buffalo fish and smelt. The milt of the cod and of the carp had similar protective value. When the respective weights of the organs, of the liver and the ovary, were taken into consideration it was found that the latter contained quite as much as, or even more, of the antirachitic factor than the liver. In view of these facts it seems that the liver may be the source of the specific factor in the roe.
In the course of these experiments it was found that the antiracitic potency of the liver of the cod is in inverse ratio to its content of oil. Much to our surprise tests of the ether extract of livers, very small and poor in fat, showed them to be exceptionally potent—far exceeding in potency any oil which has been heretofore reported. The details of these tests will be published elsewhere.
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