Metabolism of purine nucleotide in the liver and kidney of castrated rats

The authors compare the metabolism of free purine nucleotides and of RNA in the liver and kidney of adult male rats before and after castration. The authors incorporated C 14-formate into the acid-soluble bases and into RNA. The C 14-formate was injected intraperitoneally and the acid-soluble purines were purified by acid hydrolysis and separated by ion exchange chromatography. It is shown that the total base content does not significantly change after castration. The specific activity shows no variation in the kidney and no significant increase is observed in the liver. The weight falls in both categories