234 



Biochcmistry of the Female Genitalia 



[Jan. 



paste were added lo c.c. of extract and i c.c. of toluene, and the 

 mixture allowed to digest at 40° C, until duplicates no longer be- 

 came blue with iodin Solution. At this point the bottles contain- 

 ing the digestive mixtures were placed in boiling water to stop the 

 digestions simultaneously. The contents of each bottle were then 

 made up to 50 c.c. and run from a burette into boiling Fehling Solu- 

 tion, acetic acid and potassium ferrocyanid being used to determine 

 the end point. When the amount of sugar in the digestive mix- 

 ture was less than that required completely to reduce the copper, a 

 Standard glucose Solution was employed for that purpose. 



Acid- and alkali-proteases. Ten grams of gelatin were dis- 

 solved in 100 c.c. of warm i per cent. Solution of sodium fluorid col- 

 ored with methyl violet. This Solution was drawn into glass tubes 

 I mm. in diameter and the filled tubes quickly placed in cold water 

 to congeal the gelatin. The tubes were then cut into lengths of 

 2-3 cm. Ten c.c. of extract were placed in a small bottle closed 

 with a perforated cork through which the gelatin tubes could be 

 inserted; i c.c. of toluene was added and the digestions kept at room 

 temperature for 48 hours. In the estimation of acid-protease (pep- 

 sin) the mixture was made acid with 0.2 per cent. hydrochloric acid 

 Solution and for alkali-protease (trypsin) they were rendered alka- 

 line with 0.5 per cent. sodium carbonate Solution. 



Table showing enzyme values of pregnant and non-pregnant ovary, uterus 



and bladder of sheep 



A. Non-pregnant condition 



B. Pregnant condition 



Ovary 



Uterina mucosa . 

 Bladder mucosa. 



0.5 



5 

 o 



The accompanying table presents the results obtained in this 

 Study. The lipase values are given in terms of the amount of ji/20 



