Fat Context of the Portal Vein 



63 



Dog I 6 hours 



Cat I 5 hours 



Cat 29Y 2 hours 



241 

 120 



215 

 148 



237 

 120 



1 



.8 



Kitten (300 gms.)-- 1% hours 



Kitten (300 gms.).... 4% hours 



Kitten (300 gms.)..- j 5 hours 



Kitten (300 gms.).... ! 2 hours 



Kitten (600 gms.)—. I 19 hours 



117.2 

 111.6 

 117.2 



55 



35.4 



130.6 

 116.8 

 140.6 

 78.4 

 46.6 



119 



122.8 

 133.8 



87.4 



38 



Following the course of the circulation, it should be noted that 

 the liver has a double source of supply of these particles: (1) 

 through the hepatic artery and (2) through the portal vein, 

 the origin of which is principally from the capillaries of the 

 mesenteric arteries in the villi of the intestine. 



The result of the blood examinations was rather unexpected 

 for it might naturally be assumed that the fat particles, dis- 

 tributed throughout the circulation, would be represented in the 

 portal vein to the same extent as in the blood of other parts of 

 the body, or if there were direct absorption into the blood even 

 in greater numbers. In the majority of the cases the counts 

 showed quite a distinct decrease in the number of the fat particles 

 in the portal vein as compared with the jugular vein or aorta. 

 Out of the total of 20 cases examined, 12 showed this decreased 

 condition very clearly ; the remaining 8 cases showed an approxi- 

 mately equal distribution of the fat particles in the blood of the 

 three vessels. Six of the kittens in the list were unweaned and 

 still being nursed by their mothers — four in one litter weighing 

 approximately 300 grams each, and two in the second litter 

 weighing approximately 600 grams each. The remaining four- 

 teen included a few adults and a number of young animals 

 which had passed beyond the nursing stage. Classifying the 

 .inimals according to their degree of development the table shows 

 that all of the nursing kittens, with one exception, possessed an 

 approximately equal distribution of the fat particles in the blood 

 of the three vessels. The exception was one of the second litter 

 and although still nursing was able and did eat solid food. 



In the more mature group only three showed the same condi- 

 tion as in the nursing group. One of this group might be con- 

 sidered as a neutral factor, since a period of 29>< hours had 

 elapsed after the administration of fat and the chylomicron con- 

 tent of the blood would therefore be at a low ebb. 



