Studies on the Harder's Gland. II

Effect of Bovine Harder's Gland Extracts on Serum Alkaline Phosphatase and Calcium in Rabbit

Abstract

A substance affecting alkaline phosphatase activity of rabbit serum and serum calcium level was extracted and isolated from bovine Harder's gland. The gland was extracted with 0.01N ammonia water and fractionated into three fractions with ethanol. The gland was also extracted with 2% saline solution and fractionated into three fractions with ammonium sulfate. Examination of physiological activity of these fractions showed that fractions A-40, CS-3, and CS-5 increased alkaline phosphatase activity and decreased calcium level, while fractions A-44, A-80, and CS-10 lowered the phosphatase activity, and fractions A-80 and CS-10 effected transitory increase of serum calcium level with subsequent lowering. These results seem to partly prove the assumption that the Harder's gland was excreting a substance which increases or decreases alkaline phosphatase activity, as part of its physiological function. All of these fractions were considered to be a protein from the analysis of their total nitrogen and color reactions.