THE BIOCHEMISTRY OF THE FEMALE GENITALIA^ 



3. A quantitative study of certain enzymes of the ovary, Uterus, 

 and bladder, of pregnant and non-pregnant sheep 



THUISCO A. ERPF-LEFKOVICS' and JACOB ROSENBLOOM 



(Biochemical Laboratory of Columbia University, at the College of Physicians 



and Surgeons, New York) 



Introduction. In this study we used the pregnant and non- 

 pregnant ovaries and uteri, and also the bladder, in order to com- 

 pare our genital results with those for an organ with a supposedly 

 non-dynamic function. We desire to express our thanks to Dr. 

 Robert T. Frank for his interest, and for his kindness in placing at 

 our disposal the genital material employed. 



Methods. i. Preparation of extracts. {A) Five grams 

 of finely divided fresh material, washed free from blood and thor- 

 oughly triturated with sand, were treated with 100 c.c. of water 

 and allowed to stand for 24 hours, under toluene, with frequent 

 shakings. At the end of this time the extract was filtered through 

 muslin, made up to 100 c.c, and aliquot portions used for the en- 

 zyme tests. {B) Glycerol extracts were made in the same manner. 



2. EsTiMATiON OF ENZYMES. In cach casc, a control test was 

 made with boiled extract. Lipase. A mixture of 10 c.c. of the 

 extract, 0.5 c.c. of neutral ethyl butyrate and i c.c. of toluene was 

 placed in a bottle and allowed to digest at 40° C. After 24 hours 

 n/20 sodium hydroxide Solution was used to determine the acidity, 

 with Phenolphthalein as the indicator. From this amount was 

 subtracted the "control" acidity (10 c.c. of extract and i c.c. of 

 toluene). 



Amylase. To 10 c.c. of i per cent. freshly prepared starch 



*The first paper in this series (a general review of the subject) has been 

 accepted for publication in a later issue of the Biochemical Bulletin. The 

 second paper appeared in the January issue of the Journal of Biological Chetn- 

 istry, 1913, xiii, p. 511. See also Biochemical Bulletin, 1911, i, p. 115. 



^ Mr. Lefkovics died shortly after the completion of this work. See Bio- 

 chemical Bulletin, 1912, i, p. 573. 



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