Blood iron in castrated mammals

Abstract

We have studied the influence of castration on serum iron in two species (shcep and pig), in order to amplify our data onthis question. Three different species (horse, bull and ass), had already been studied in an carlier work.

The serums were obtained from the local abattoir, and the determinations of serum iron and total iron-binding capacity were carried out in accordance with the Ramsay’s methods

The results have been statistically processed, and the results have been submitted to a significaron test (Student’s t.). In Table I are shown the average valúes for eachlot, with

an indication of the extreme valúes, and of the standard dcvia- tions. The average global valúes have been determined in cases where no significant differences were found between the lots

We have also calculated the valúes of the saturation coefficient (C. S.) of transferrin.

No significant variation due to castration can be observad in these two species. Níƒor did we'uíˆnd an evident effect in thethree species studied earlier (5). On the other hand, clear va- riations in serum iron have been observed in other mammals, for example the rat (1,3) and the rabbit (3, 4).

Iron metabolism should present particular characteristics in animáis, and in certain species the elimination of gouads (3, 8), or the administration of sexual hormones (3, 4), is shown in modifications of their hepatic reserves, (9, 13), or variation of the level of serum iron. In other species however, this manifes- tation does not occur.

Chir results constitute new proófs for the conclusión recor- ded by Ramsay (12) in which he points out he difficulty ofusing data from other species in the explanation of certain cha­ racteristics of iron metabolism in the human species.