Abstract
Studies were made upon the effects of combinations of KI with acid extracts from anterior pituitary glands of cattle, with (Armour) anterior pituitary tablets and with thyroid substance. A large number of determinations were made upon 48 guinea pigs at biweekly intervals, using the Haldane open circuit respiratory colorimeter. Subcutaneous injections of amytal were given the animals in order to eliminate movement while the determinations were being made.
In the first set of experiments, 9 animals were given daily intraperitoneal injections of 1 cc. of fresh acid extract of cattle anterior pituitary gland. Nine others were given similar injections and in addition were given 0.05 gm. KI pills by mouth daily. The acid extract injections produced a marked rise in basal metabolism in all the 9 guinea pigs. The basal rate usually reached a maximum of approximately 60% above the normal average within the first 12 days, after which there was usually a gradual decline. The animals which were given the acid extract from fresh cattle glands in combination with KI failed to show any marked rise in the metabolic rate, the average being slightly above that of normal guinea pigs.
In the second set of experiments 9 guinea pigs were given Armour anterior pituitary 5 grain tablets daily over a period of 24 days. There was a fairly constant rise in metabolic rate in all 9 guinea pigs. This reaches a level ranging between 30 and 50% above the normal within 8 to 12 days. After this initial rise there is a fall ranging to 10 to 30% above the normal, after which there is again a gradual and steady rise so that at the end of the 24-day period, the average rate is approximately 70% above the normal.
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