Seromucoid-Levels in Osteolathyrism in the Rat

SCHWARTZ 1 has recently reported significant increases in mean levels of serum mucoproteins in lathyric rabbits, and has interpreted these as reflecting an increased depolymerization of ground substance. Grant, Hathorn and Gillman 2 have reported increased levels of serum mucoproteins in rats made lathyric by feeding sweet pea diets. They have suggested the occurrence in these animals of an increased synthesis and discharge of mucoproteins by the liver, associated with a decreased rate of utilization of mucopolysaccharide by the aorta and other connective tissues during synthesis of new fibrillar components. Our own unpublished observations of seromucoid-levels made over a period of years in a number of series of rats in which osteolathyrism had been produced by feeding β-aminopropionitrile are not in agreement with these reports.