Abstract
We have shown 1 that a growth-promoting effect is exerted by acid extract of cattle anterior pituitary gland on bone and cartilage in young guinea pigs. The present investigation deals with the influence of this extract on callus formation and healing of fractured bones.
Twenty-four fall and winter guinea pigs averaging from 130 to 300 gm. in weight were used in these experiments. Under deep ether anesthesia both tibia and fibula of the left hind leg as a rule were fractured in these animals. As exposure of the bone with the unavoidable removal of the periosteum was followed by unsatisfactory healing, the following procedure was used: After shaving the skin of the leg the bones were broken at about the middle of their shafts. The broken ends were carefully approximated, the leg fixed with a small wooden splint and tightly bandaged with adhesive plaster. Sixteen animals thus operated on were injected with from 1 to 1 ½ cc. of extract daily, while 8 others of similar size, weight and age were not injected and kept under the same environmental factors, thus serving as controls. All were fed in the same manner with oats and bran or shorts. In addition, they received some cabbage, hay, lettuce and turnips. The injections were continued for periods varying between 6 and 21 days. After 6, 10, 14, and 21 days X-ray pictures were taken in collaboration with Dr. S. R. Johnston in order to observe the position of the fragments and the progress of callus formation.
After 6, 10, 14, and 21 days the animals were sacrificed, and the fractured bones used for microscopical study. In each case the long bones were taken out as a whole, the muscles and tendons removed and in toto sections prepared, as described previously.
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