1()"2 Fluid ubtdiiicd Jroiii Uddtrx uj Vinjiii lleij'ers 



Conclusions. 



A secretion lias hocii found to occur in small amount in tlie udders 

 of virgin heifers which contains the characteristic proteins of colostrum, 

 together with sUght amounts of fat, lactose and proteose. It follows 

 that the initiation of mammary gland activity in the dairy cow is not 

 necessarily dependent on pregnancy, but may be associated with the 

 occurrence of the oestrous cycle. The processes which result in the elabora- 

 tions of proteins would appear to be the most active iu this early stage 

 of the glands activity, since only small amounts of fat and sugar seem 

 to be formed. 



The fluid bears, on account of its globulin content, a closer relation 

 to colostrum than to milk. The question arises as to whether the secretion 

 continues to accumulate throughout pregnancy, or whether it undergoes 

 gradual reabsorption. It is hoped to gain information on this and other 

 points by following the changes in the yield and composition of the 

 fluid at regular periods throughout the progress of pregnancy. 



REFERENCKS. 



(1) Mausilvll and HaLNAn. I'roc. Jtoyal Sue. 15., 89, lillT. 



(2) Hammond iind Maushall. Proc. Royal Hoc. 15., 87, lit! 1. 



(3) Woodman. Bioch. J., 15, 187, 1921. 



(4) Marsh.\ll. The I'hi/nioloyi/ oJUeproduclion, Low\on. I!(l(). 



(5) Lane-Claypon and Stakuno. Proc. Royal Soc. ii., 77, I'JOU. 

 (0) Plimmek. Practical Urganic and Blo-Cliemislry, p. 4(10. 



{Received Januari/ ]''>/li, 1922.) 



