Measurement of In Vivo Deuterium Incorporation into the Egg White and Gross Biological Effects of Deuterium Oxide Administration in Coturnix coturnix japonica

Authors

Stanley P. Sutton, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Document Type

Thesis

Date of this Version

9-1967

Citation

Thesis (M.S.)—University of Nebraska—Lincoln, 1967.Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition.

Comments

Copyright 1967, the author. Used by permission.

Abstract

The object of this study was to quantitatively measure 1) exchangeability of incorporation of deuterium atoms, 2) rate of incorporation, and 3) extent of incorporation into a protein being synthesized by a living system. The living organism used was the Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica.

As the animals consumed the deuterium source, there should be a corresponding increase of deuterium in the animal.This should be found in the ovalbumin, conalbumin, ovomucoid and other egg white protein components which were synthesized and deposited in vivo as the egg white.Samples were then taken and the above measurements made. The protein examined was the whole egg white.No isolation of any specific protein was made.

While administering the deuterium as drinking water, egg white samples were obtained and the animals were observed for gross physiological changes.These observations were temperament, body weight, water consumption, feed consumption and egg frequency.

Advisor: Richard Dam