Osteolathyrism in the Hamster: Pathological and Chemical Changes Produced by β-Aminopropionitrile in Connective Tissues.

Summary BAPN, when fed to weanling male hamsters, produced gross skeletal lesions characteristic of mild osteolathyrism. Aortic damage was also present, but, like the gross skeletal lesions, was much less severe than in rats fed corresponding levels of BAPN. No microscopic changes in the cheek pouches of lathyritic animals were observed. BAPN caused an increase in the M saline-soluble collagen fraction or in the citrate-soluble collagen fraction of the cheek pouches. An increase in the M NaCl-soluble fraction was evident after only 1 day on 0.1% BAPN fu-marate. This increase in the M NaCl fraction may be of value in rapid screening of potential lathyrogens. No 0.2 M NaCl-sol-uble collagen fraction could be found in pouches from either normal or lathyritic hamsters. Its absence may be associated with the relative resistance of the hamster to BAPN. No effect of BAPN on elastin-like fractions of the pouches could be demonstrated. We are grateful to Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, 111., for generous gifts of mono-β-amino-propionitrile (BAPN) fumarate. We are also en-debted to Ezra Chavez for valuable technical assistance.